AGENDA #4i

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:

Mayor and Town Council

FROM:

Lance Norris, Director of Inspections

C. Maggie Bowers, Senior Code Enforcement Officer

SUBJECT:

Demolition of House Remains Located at 215 Nunn Lane:

PIN: 9788 17 5273

 DATE:

September 10, 2007

  

The attached ordinance would authorize the demolition of the fire damaged remains of a vacant house and any required land stabilization at 215 Nunn Lane: PIN 9788 17 5273, which has been determined to be unfit for human habitation, dilapidated, and a threat to public health and safety.  The costs of demolition will be assessed against the property and a lien for these costs placed on the property.  If unpaid, the lien can be collected through a foreclosure procedure. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The attached photograph illustrates the condition of the deteriorated structure at 215 Nunn Lane.  The house has suffered from major fire damage, neglect, and exposure to the elements.  Portions of the roof, exterior walls, and the entire foundation remain.  Since January 19, 2007 the Senior Code Enforcement Officer has been attempting to work with one of the owners in an effort to have the remains of this house repaired or removed.  The property is located within a target area in the Northside Neighborhood and our Housing and Neighborhood Services Coordinator confirmed that funding is available through grant programs for this type of property maintenance to remove blight and support neighborhood revitalization.  

 

Written notification to the owner has included: 

 

  1. A Notice of Minimum Housing Violations, Condemnation, and Dilapidated Vehicle Violations dated January 19, 2007, advising owner to demolish and properly dispose of the remains of the deteriorated house, and to remove the three dilapidated vehicles.
  2. A Notice of Hearing and Final Written Notice of Minimum Housing Code Violations, dated March 6, 2007, ordering the removal of all remains of the house and stabilizing the parcel, and scheduling the hearing.
  3. A Finding of Facts and Order, dated March 21, 2007, documenting that the property representative agreed with the Town’s determination of violations and was not able to perform the required work to bring the property into compliance with the codes due to cost and the inability to obtain the two other remaining heirs’ cooperation. This notice also set forth an order to specifically obtain the Building Permit for the demolition, demolish the remains, and properly dispose of all debris.
  4. An additional Hearing was scheduled for September 6, 2007 to allow sufficient notice to potential additional owners of interest and notice was issued to the registered owner, posted on the house, and published in the local newspaper.  If any new relevant information is discerned during this additional Hearing it will be reported at the September 10th Council meeting.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the Council enact the attached Ordinance that would authorize demolition of 215 Nunn Lane, and place a lien for the cost of the demolition on the property.