Hearing Authority

LAFAYETTE HEARING AUTHORITY July 24, 2012 The Lafayette Hearing Authority met on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of Lafayette City Hall. Present were: Gary Henriott and Cindy Murray. Absent: Ron Shriner Jacque Chosnek, 1st Deputy City Attorney, was also present. Mr. Henriott called the meeting to order. MINUTES Mrs. Murray moved for approval of the March 27, 2012 minutes. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-710 S. 22nd Street Scott Dieterle, Engineer’s Office, stated that the new owner, Michael and Cathy Vauters, contacted him regarding a time extension to fix the garage. Mr. Dieterle stated that structure was unsafe due to the lean, the foundation was not in good shape and the siding was rotting. The garage lean has been fixed and the owner is working in the outside of the structure to fix the siding, replace garage doors and shingles. Mr. Dieterle recommended continuing this item until the next meeting. Mr. Dieterle stated that he is working with the owner to finish the exterior within a month. Mrs. Murray moved to table this item. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. This item will be continued on the agenda until the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing -1205 Kossuth Street Mr. Dieterle stated that he sent an unsafe structure letter in August 2010 to Bruce Carpenter, Property Owner. Mr. Carpenter contacted Mr. Dieterle within several days of receiving the letter with intent to fix the structure and requested time to complete the task. Mr. Dieterle stated that he sent an additional letter due to the inaction of the property owner to fix the structure. Mr. Dieterle stated that Mr. Carpenter had several other properties in the city that have had issues as well. The structure in question is now unoccupied due to the Engineering Office issuing an uninhabitable sign and gave the tenants 12 days to move. The meter has been pulled and the water has been shut off. Mr. Dieterle stated that 13 letters regarding the property/structure have been sent to the Hearing Authority from surrounding property owners and neighbors. Bruce Carpenter, 1205 Kossuth Street property owner, stated that he spent $1500 repairing part of the structure but due to a fire at another property on Ferry Street, work stopped. Mr. Carpenter stated that this property was slated for renovation this August and September with work on the siding. Mr. Carpenter spoke in favor of keeping the structure and fixing the necessary items. Discussion ensued. Mr. Dieterle stated that he has not gained access to the inside of the structure to date and is not sure of the condition of the interior. Mr. Dieterle stated that a structural engineer would have to assess the condition of the structure before the Engineering Office would issue an occupancy permit. Deane Laczi, 714 S. 12th Street, spoke in favor of the demolition of the structure. Ms. Laczi commented on her concern for the safety of the neighborhood kids and the trashiness of the property. Audio inaudible. David Redmon, Structural Engineering for the City of Lafayette, stated that he has dealt on several other properties that are owned by Mr. Carpenter. Mr. Redmon was concerned with whether or not Mr. Carpenter had the time and money that it will take to fix/repair the necessary items within a reasonable time set forth by the Engineering Office. Mr. Dieterle recommended affirming the order for demolition. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. Mr. Henriott recommended that Mr. Carpenter contact the Engineering Office to create a plan for the fix/repair of the structure. Mr. Henriott also requested that the police calls and criminal happenings for the address be available along checking to see if it is an historical structure. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing -3829 SR 38 East Mr. Dieterle stated that there are two separate homes on the property which are owned by Tony Del Real. Mr. Del Real has applied for a demolition permit for both structures along with waiting for the disconnection of the utilities. Mr. Dieterle recommended continuing this item on the agenda until next meeting. Ms. Chosnek stated that an attorney that represents H & L Development, who is still the deeded owner even though there is a contract for sale with Mr. Del Real, did contact the Engineering Office requesting a continuance of today’s hearing due to a conflict. Mrs. Murray moved to table this item. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. This item will be continued on the agenda until the next meeting. Updates 401 S. 4th Street-Mr. Dieterle stated that he met with the owner on several occasions. The owner was interested in fixing up the property but ultimately decided not to fix it up due to the time and money that would be involved. The owner decided to demolish the structure on his own. 418-420 N. 9th Street-Mr. Dieterle stated that he gave the owner of the property a month to create a timetable and plan to fix the structure. The owner decided to demolish the structure due to the money it would take to fix. 1415-1417 Morton Street-Mr. Dieterle stated that he spoke with the neighbor, Harry Cole regarding the structure. Mr. Cole contracted the property owner, worked out a deal with the owner to buy the property. Mr. Cole bought and fixed up the structure. Both units are rented out. 1701 Pierce Street-Mr. Dieterle stated that North Creek Properties fixed up the structure. UNSAFE STRUCTURES REPORT July 24, 2012 710 S 22nd St P Property owner: Michael and Cathy Vauters Initial contact: March 23, 2012 GARAGE Has a severe lean to the West and in danger of collapsing Foundation has deteriorated Exterior wood siding falling apart and rotting thru-out Garage doors starting to deteriorate Garage poses an immediate danger to the public and must be demolished immediately Last contact: May 17, 2012 Taxes Current: No- $306.29 Recommendation: The garage lean has been fixed and owner is currently working on exterior. I recommend we table until next meeting. 1205 Kossuth St Property owner: Bruce and Shawn Carpenter Initial contact: August 26, 2010 HOUSE Deck handrails loose and deteriorating Deck steps has wrapping and loose boards Siding has major rotting and is missing thru-out Siding on upper Southeast corner is missing and has major hole Wood behind missing siding is rotting Soffit is rotting and has holes thru-out Back porch roof is sagging Service wire has black tape wrapped around it Last contact: July 12, 2012 Taxes Current: No- $1574.30 Recommendation: Demolition 3829 SR 38 EC Property owner: Tony Del Real Initial contact: July 18, 2012 LIMESTONE HOUSE Shingles starting to deteriorate Gutters missing or falling thru-out Limestone block falling or missing in several locations Fascia starting to rot Soffit starting to rot Several windows broken or open Interior drywall missing in several locations RED BRICK HOUSE Shingles starting to deteriorate Gutters missing or falling thru-out Holes in roof Soffit missing or rotting thru-out Wood trim rotting thru-out Interior drywall missing thru-out Shed in back of house deteriorated Last contact: July 18, 2012 Taxes Current: No- $7590.07 Recommendation: Tony Del Real has applied for demolition permits and is waiting for Vectren to retire gas service. I recommend we table until next meeting. Annual Report January 1, 2012 – July 24, 2012 22 properties were reviewed and acted upon under the unsafe structure ordinance 19 were sent letters 3 were notified verbally, on site or by telephone 5 were sent to the city Attorney for futher action  5 were scheduled with the Lafayette Hearing Authority 11 have work in progress 4 have been brought into compliance with City codes 4 Structures demolished 2 homes have been purchased and brought into compliance Time: 9:58 a.m. Gary Henriott s/s Gary Henriott Minutes prepared by Mindy Miller, 1st Deputy Clerk A digital audio recording of this meeting is available in the Lafayette City Clerk’s Office.