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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09031992 BSC Minutes• BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77005 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1992 6:30 P.M. The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Blvd., in the City of West University Place, on September 3, 1992, for a Regular 5ession with the following members present: Chairman Nicholas Aschliman, Alternate Dale Reid and Regular Member Carolyn Hodgins. Also present from the City were: Ed Beasley, Building Official, Chief Terry Stevenson and Susan Thorn, Building Secretary. HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None Present CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3123 AMHERST: This was a carry over item from previous months concerning a structure located at 3123 Amherst which is in a state of disrepair. Richard Ballanfant, Owner of the property was not present. • Chief Terry Stevenson explained that notice had been sent three times to the owner of the property regarding the two story garage which is in a state of disrepair. Originally a notice was sent to Mr. Ballanfant the first time in April asking him to call and discuss it with the City. Ed Beasley and Chief Stevenson went and inspected the property and brought the matter before the Building and Standards Commission. Chief 5tevenson also sent notice to Mr. Ballanfant of their findings asking him to contact them to discuss it or be present at the next scheduled BSC meeting. July 29 was the last correspondence informing him of this meeting and of our findings deeming the structure a dangerous building. There has been no contact with the owner. A return card receipt was received from the registered mail sent to Mr. Ballanfant. After the July 8 BSC meeting, Mr. Ballanfant was requested to meet with Ed Beasley and Chief Stevenson to discuss what it would take to repair the property, but the City received no response. Both Terry Stevenson and Susan Thorn called Mr. Ballanfant and left messages on his recorder requesting he attend this September 3 meeting, but there was still no response from Mr. Ballanfant. ~ • Chief Stevenson explained that he has not received back the title search to determine ownership. The search should be complete in the following week. They are checking to make certain that the property was not part of a divorce settlement and that will take a little more time. He also checked on the property taxes and they are current. Chief Stevenson explained that one of the things that he wanted to discuss with Mr. Ballanfant was due to the size of the structure it would be very costly for Mr. Ballanfant to repair or demolish the structure. He explained that he would give Mr. Ballanfant some time to work out a financial arrangement to have the repairs or demolition done. Mr. Beasley explained that it would not be feasible to repair the structure. The second floor would have to be jacked up in order to repair the first floor. Chief Stevenson contacted Entex regarding the location of the gas meter next to the leaning structure and Entex will not take any steps to pull the gas meter unless the Building and Standards Commission takes legal action and signs an order to demolish and condemns the structure and serves Mr. Ballanfant with notice. Entex will not deprive someone of service is the home is occupied. Entex sent one of their supervisors out to look at the problem and the supervisor agreed that this is a serious problem. Mr. Beasley explained that he is not certain whether the sagging • overhead wires going to the garage are hot. There were no lights on in the garage at the time of inspection. He further explained that the yard is open and unfenced with no fence on the rear property line or across the driveway. Neighbors could easily enter the yard and walk through the property. There is no way of securing the structure because of the fact it is so warped. Chief Stevenson stated that when he last had a conversation with Mr. Ballanfant that Mr. Ballanfant felt that the garage was not his problem. Chief Stevenson stated he did not know if it is because Mr. Ballafant doesn't realize it is a dangerous structure or if it is because he doesn't care. Only the housekeeper and Mr. Ballafant appear to reside in the home. Dale Reid said that if the title search came up with one owner it would make it easier, but if there were a second owner's name to appear on the title then all notification would have to be sent to • ~ both parties. Dale Reid made motion, seconded title search that we notify the the next meeting. If the title the sole owner then recommend t: that the structure is condemned tear down the structure. by Carolyn Hodgins following the owners of the property to appear at search shows Mr. Ballanfant to be hat we send notice to Mr. Ballanfant and that procedures be started to All voting aye. Voting no: None A notice of Public Hearing will be prepared to be put in the paper after the title search is complete ordering the structure to be demolished or repaired. This item will appear on the next agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Carolyn Hodgins made motion to approve the minutes from the July 23rd meeting with minor corrections. Motion seconded by Dale Reid. All voting aye. • Voting No: None. UPDATE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3816 BYRON: Chief Stevenson updated the board regarding a hazardous structure located at 3816 Byron. He explained that the people who were residing in Mrs. Sara Kelly's home located at 3816 Byron were arrested after an investigation for embezzlement. Mrs. Kelly is now in a nursing home and requires 24 hour care. A nephew has been located and has been informed of the situation with the hazardous garage structure. There is no longer a problem with having gas turned off to the property as there is no one residing in the home. The nephew lives out of state and will be coming to Houston soon to take care of everything needed. •