Hearing Authority

LAFAYETTE HEARING AUTHORITY November 27, 2012 The Lafayette Hearing Authority met on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of Lafayette City Hall. Present were: Gary Henriott, Cindy Murray and Ron Shriner Jacque Chosnek, 1st Deputy City Attorney, was also present. Mr. Shriner called the meeting to order. MINUTES Mr. Henriott moved for approval of the July 24, 2012 minutes. Mrs. Murray seconded. Mr. Henriott stated there is a scrivener’s error under New Business; change “home owner” to “property owner”. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-710 S. 22nd Street Stanley Knight, Engineering, stated that Scott Dieterle (Inspector) spoke with the property owner, Michael Vauters, on November 16, 2012. Mr. Vauters informed Mr. Dieterle that there are some financial issues and would like to have until the spring of 2013 to repair the roof on the garage. Mr. Dieterle gave Mr. Vauters the time extension. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the property owner has corrected all the structural issues and recommended continuing this on the agenda. Mr. Shriner stated that this item will be continued. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing -3829 SR 38 East Mr. Knight stated that Mr. Dieterle spoke with Mr. Del Real on November 13, 2012 regarding removing the remaining brush/stumps along with grating and seeding the property. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the structures have been removed. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the Board can consider removing from the agenda because the actual demolition work is completed. Mrs. Murray moved to remove this item from the agenda. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. NEW BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-2401 Schuyler Ave/aka 2401 N. 24th Street Mr. Knight stated there is ongoing communication between Lafayette Savings Bank and Cox’s Pub, property owner. The Engineering department believes this property poses an unsafe environment to the public and requests the remaining building be demolished along with foundation to be removed and proper fill of the demolition site to meet erosion control. Mr. Knight recommended affirming the demolition. Eric Cox, property owner, stated that a fire occur at the property September 2010 and currently involved in an ongoing insurance battle. Mr. Cox stated that the property has been listed for sale and waiting on a buyer. Mr. Cox is concerned with demolishing the structure and the setbacks they will lose. Matt Washburn, Commercial Realtor for Mr. Cox, stated that there is a buyer that is interested in purchasing the property and salvage the remaining structure on the property. Jule’ Collins, Engineering, stated that there is an existing variance on the setbacks on Schulyer Avenue and N. 24th Street. Ms. Collins stated that the variance runs with the land and it not attached to the sale of the land. Mrs. Chosnek stated that those setbacks established by variance will continue to exist even if the structure/property is gone. Mr. Cox stated that he would like an additional 6 months to get the property sold. Mr. Shriner stated that this property is an eyesore and a safety concern for the public. Mayor Roswarski recommended the order for demolition to keep the process moving along. Audio Inaudible. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-633 Oregon Street Mr. Knight stated that the initial letter was sent out August 14, 2012 and there had been no contact with the property owner. Mr. Knight stated that the property has been converted into two units, the shingles are deteriorating, exposed roof sheeting is starting to rot, and rafters are starting to deteriorate, holes in siding throughout the structure, windows broken along with trash and debris throughout the property. Mr. Knight stated that this property is listed as historical. Paul Nix, 510 S. 30th Street, stated that he is moving to 632 Oregon Street. Mr. Nix stated that he bought this house on contract from Mark Engdall in August 1991 to which Mr. Nix found out that the contract was not recorded with the Tippecanoe County Recorder. Mr. Nix stated that he has made timely payments and paid the taxes since 1991. Mr. Nix has not had contact with Mr. Engdall since the last payment he made to satisfy the contact 2006. Mrs. Chosnek stated that property owner Susan Holland and Mark Engdall contacted her office after receiving the notice. Ms. Holland acknowledged that the property had been sold to Mr. Nix and that the contract had been paid off and was surprised that her name was still listed as the owner of the property. Mr. Nix stated that he has lived in the property from 1985 and has had a couple of tenants since 2006 and the house has been vacant for the past 3 months along with no utilities. Mr. Nix stated that he would like to live in it but does not have the money to take care of it. Gene Harris, 627 Oregon Street, recommended demolishing the property unless it can be fixed up immediately. Mr. Harris stated that the property is overgrown. Ila Solomon, 414 S. 4th Street, stated that she has spent a lot of time cleaning, maintaining and pulling trash out of abandoned houses around the city. Mr. Henriott moved to affirm the order of demolition. Mrs. Murray seconded. Motion Carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-1329 Central Street Mr. Knight stated that the initial letter was sent to Vinnie Gutpa, Wiper Corporation Owner. The Wiper Corporation came to light when they were found working on the house without a permit. There are problems with the shingles; the roof is sagging in a few areas, the soffit and fascia is deteriorating throughout and the exterior trim is starting to rot. Mr. Knight stated that the windows are broken, gutters are falling off, exterior doors are deteriorating and the doors and windows are boarded up with ply wood. There was contact with Mr. Gutpa on October 31, 2012 when he was informed that he needed to get a building permit to continue working on this property. Mr. Gutpa stated then that he would get a permit and has yet to apply for a permit to date. Mr. Knight stated that the home has been vacant since 2008. Mr. Knight stated that this property is listed as historical. Mr. Henriott moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mrs. Murray seconded. Motion Carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-613 S. 15th Street Mr. Knight stated that the property is owned by Delores Charlesworth. The shingles are deteriorating, the back section is collapsing, there is several foundation issues, the windows are in bad shape, the exterior trim is falling off and the property is overgrown. Mr. Knight stated that the property is vacant. Mrs. Charlesworth stated there is no mortgage on the house but has water and electrical services. Mrs. Charlesworth stated that she intends on removing the rear exterior of the structure and have the exterior items such as the windows fixed. Mrs. Charlesworth currently lives at 1900 Greenbush with the intention of moving back into 613 S. 15th Street and selling the house at 1900 Greenbush. Elizabeth Chandler, 611 S. 15th Street, stated that she is and has been having trouble selling her home due to the condition of the structure in question. Mrs. Chandler stated that she is in favor of the demolition of the structure. Audio Inaudible. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. Updates 3106 Kossuth Street-Mrs. Chosnek stated that Mr. Dieterle was planning on going out to look at the property and anticipated sending the file onto the City Attorney’s office. Ms. Collins stated that the owner of the property came into the Engineering office looking to speak with Mr. Dieterle. 1205 Kossuth Street-Mr. Knight stated that Bruce Carpenter, property owner, has been working on the house. Audio Inaudible. UNSAFE STRUCTURES REPORT November 27, 2011 613 S 15th St P Property owner: Delores Charlesworth Initial contact: August 10, 2012 HOUSE Shingles deteriorated Flat roof collapsing Exposed rafters rotted Soffit and fascia rotting or falling down Siding loose or missing in areas Exterior trim around windows and doors starting to rot Exterior wooden door deteriorated Block foundation in rear of house collapsing Concrete slab in rear of house collapsed Property is overgrown with brush and weeds Last contact: November 16, 2012 Taxes Current: Yes Recommendation: Demolition 1329 Central St Property owner: Wiper Corporation Initial contact: May 21, 2012 HOUSE Shingles are deteriorated Roof sagging in areas Soffit and fascia starting to deteriorate thru-out Exterior trim starting to rot Windows falling apart or broken Gutters falling down Exterior doors deteriorating Doors and windows boarded up with plywood Last contact: October 31, 2012 Taxes Current: No- $372.73 plus City Liens $223 + $20 fees Recommendation: Demolition 633 Oregon St C Property owner: Mark Engdall Initial contact: August 14, 2012 HOUSE Shingles are deteriorated Exposed roof sheathing starting to rot Exposed rafters starting to deteriorate Soffit and fascia starting to deteriorate in areas Exterior wood trim starting to deteriorate Holes in wood siding thru-out Broken windows thru-out Trash and debris in backyard Last contact: No contact since original letter Taxes Current: No- $935 plus City liens $1204.43 + $20 fees Recommendation: Demolition 2401 N 24th St Property owner: Eric Cox Initial contact: November 7, 2011 COMMERCIAL BUILDING The City of Lafayette Engineering Department believes this property poses an unsafe environment to the public and requests the remaining building be demolished along with foundation to be removed and proper fill of the demolition site to meet erosion control. Last contact: None Taxes current: No- $4184.08 plus City liens $822.51 + $20 fees Recommendation: Demolition Time: 10:15 a.m. Ron Shriner s/s Ron Shriner Minutes prepared by Mindy Miller, 1st Deputy Clerk A digital audio recording of this meeting is available in the Lafayette City Clerk’s Office.