A defunct silk mill in Lansford may see new life as a buyer steps in with plans to remediate the property and turn it into mixed commercial residential space.

The owner of the former Kiddie Kloes building at 362 W. Patterson St. appeared before the borough’s Uniform Construction Code Appeal Board Monday night for a hearing on multiple zoning violations.

The owner, MULECO LLC, appealed the violations, which included code sections on unsafe structures, structures unfit for human occupancy, sanitation, rubbish and garage as well as sections related to roof, walls and doors.

Assistant code officer Shannon Darker, of ARRO Engineering, Orwigsburg, said there was an agreement between the seller, Michele Novak, and the buyer, Julia Atiyeh.

Under the International Property Maintenance Code, it’s unlawful to transfer property with open violations, Darker said. The agreement states the buyer made the seller aware of the violations, and the buyer accepts responsibility for compliance, she said.

The agreement also sets a timeline for rectifying the violations, Darker said.

Within seven days of the agreement, signed May 22, grass, weeds and overgrowth will be cut or trimmed, and remain in compliance for the growing season. Also, rubbish and garbage from the exterior will be removed and disposed of properly.

Within 30 days, all broken or missing windows will be replaced or boarded; all loose boards or material will be replaced or secured; all openings into the building will be secured, and permits secured for the demolition of an accessory structure, the furnace room, the agreement states.

Within 60 days, the permit must be issued and demolition on the furnace room must begin; and a written plan must be submitted to the borough indicating the proposed plans for the structure and property, as well as a timeline for the improvements, the agreement states.

Board member Dwight Penberth asked what the fines were on the property. Darker said there were no fines for the outstanding notices of violations, which date to Feb. 2, 2023, or citations filed.

Both Novak, managing member of MULECO, and Ashley Heatter, representing the buyer, verified those were the terms to which the parties agreed.

The board questioned what guarantee of compliance they had, and attorney Robert Yurchak said they had the agreement, and citations could be issued if not complied with.

The board accepted the agreement.

After the hearing, Heatter said they’re looking to do mixed residential and commercial in the more than century-old building, which began as silk mill in 1910 and was last home to the Kiddie Kloes garment factory.

The new owners have already begun addressing the exterior, Heatter said, and would like to start work on the building as soon as possible.