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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07081992 BSC Minutes• • e ~ f BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992 6:30 P.M. The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, in the City of West University Place, on July 8, 1992, for a Regular Session with the following members present: Nicholas Aschliman, Chairman, Drew McManigle, Craig DuCote, Carolyn Hodgins, Susan Freeman, Dale Reid, and Margaret Wallis. Ed Beasley, Building Official and Susan Thorn, Building Secretary were present from the City. Also present from the City was Chief Terry Stevenson. HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None Present PUBLIC HEARING OF COMPLAINT NO. 92-02 REGARDING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3123 AMHERST, TRACTS 2 3A BLOCK 3 RICE COURT: Chief Terry Stevenson presented video tape showing the condition of the garage located at 3123 Amherst. The owner of the property, . Richard Ballafant was not present. Mr. Ed Beasley, Building Official explained that one of the Building Inspectors discovered the problem while doing a sewer relocate inspection at this address and he then brought it to the attention to of Mr. Beasley. Mr. Beasley turned it over to Chief Stevenson and he contacted the owner of the property Mr. Richard Ballafant about the matter. Mr. Ballafant was of the opinion since the garage is on private property belonging to him it could not be considered a public nuisance. Mr. Beasley explained that the building has rotated ~en to twelve inches off the slab and;is twisted and leaning. He fu~ther explained that the studs are not touching the top plate. The electrical lines are also hanging too low. Another problem is the gas meter for the house is located next to the garage. Mr. Ballafant was notified for the first ~ime on April 29, 1992. Chief Stevenson again spoke to him on June 11 on the phone and on June 23, 1•992 he was notified by a certified let~er of the meeting. Mr. Ballafant and possibly his housekeeper are the only known residents of the house. A title search has not yet been done on this property.r ~ U • . • ~ " u • Mr. Beasle ex lained the ara e does not a ear to be re airable. Y P 9 9 PP P Entex has not yet been notified regarding the location of the gas meter in a dangerous position. If the garage were to be rebuilt it appears it could be located in the same location, but without a survey it is not for certain. Chief Stevenson explained that the approximate cost would be $3000 to $4000 to demolish the garage, as it is a two story structure. The next step would be to order the garage to be repaired or demolish the garage within thirty days with the failure to respond resulting in the demolition of the garage and a lien filed against the property for the amount of the demolition cost. Drew McManigle made motion, seconded by Craig DuCote to take necessary steps to authorize the City to demolish the garage. All Voting Aye. Voting No: None DISCUSSION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3816 BYRON: ~, Chief Stevenson updated the Board on the status of 3816 Byron. He • explained as discussed in previous BSC meetings the garage at 3816 Byron is considered to be a dangerous building. A title search on the property has now been done and no other owners have been found other than Ms. Sarah Kelly. He further explained that owner of the property, Ms. Sarah Kelly is now residing a nursing home. The family who were residing with her have since moved out and a new family has moved into the house. It is not known if they are relations. Chief Stevenson explained that the estimated cost to demolish the garage would be between $1500 to $1800. In previous discussions there was concern that the water heater for the house was located in the garage and if the garage were to be demolished it would leave the water heater open to the elements. At the time Ms. Kelly was still residing in the house and it was discussed as to whether the City could arrange to move her water heater from the garage to beside the house and build a cover for it. The estimated cost for a plumber to do this was between $400 and $800. Ed Beasley said that he would speak to the City Attorney as to whether the City would want to do this. An order to demolish was signed by Nick Aschliman, Chairman subject to the outcome of the conversation with the City Attorney. ~ •, ~ • ~ DISCUSSION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4126 LEHIGH: Neither Gladys Weeks, owner of the property located at 4126 Lehigh, nor her attorney, Brett Thompson were present at the meeting. Terry Stevenson and Ed Beasley presented a video tape of the property. The video showed the second floor floor joists eaten away by termites and supporting members are rotted away. There are numerous code violations such as the windows in the bedrooms do not meet the minimum egress requirements. All the skylights leak. The exterior walls and roof allow rain and dampness to enter the interior of the building. The stairs on the outside leading to the second story balcony are unsafe. This house also does not have a garage which is a zoning violation. They explained that neighbors have been complaining for years about this property. The property has been abandoned since 1977, approximately 14 years. There is a gray area as to whether the home could be considered to be a hazardous or dangerous building. Mr. Beasley is asking for the Building and Standards Commission to order the building to either be repaired or demolished if the repairs were not made in a timely manner. The property is in bankruptcy and the owner of the property wants to repair the house ~ and lease it out. He first became aware of this when it was ~ discovered that the doors had been replaced and work had been going on during the weekends without a permit. The contractors were stopped and Mr. Beasley contacted Ms. Weeks and she hired a contractor to take out a permit to remove sheetrock so that the structure could be inspected for termite damage. The City could require the homeowner to have more sheetrock removed so that further inspection could be done if she does want to repair the building. Chief Stevenson explained that a gas test would be required and would probably fail. They are asking for the board to make a decision to order the building to be repaired within a specific period of time or be demolished. After some discussion among the board members Drew McManigle made motion, seconded by Carolyn Hodgins that Chief Stevenson and Ed Beasley make another inspection of the building on Lehigh and concurrently with that, that they discuss with the City Attorney the steps necessary for the City to proceed within the bankruptcy court to obtain either an abandonment of the building or relief from the Automatic State Provision 362, so that if or when the building is determined to be a nuisance and or a hazardous building that the City may proceed to order the building demolished and place any liens upon it as necessary and that Mr. Beasley notify the Building and Standards Commission within ten days of a special called meeting. • All Voting Aye. Voting No: None ~ • • . ~ Carol n Hod ins made motion to a rove minutes from June 4, 1992 Y 9 PP meeting. This motion was seconded by Craig DuCote. Al1 Voting Aye. Voting No: None Susan Freeman made motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Carolyn Hodgins. All Voting Aye. Voting No: None The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Attest: i ~ ~ -~ Secretary G~~~ ~~~~~ CHAIRMAN •