Hearing Authority

LAFAYETTE HEARING AUTHORITY July 23, 2013 The Lafayette Hearing Authority met on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 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 Attorney, was also present. Mr. Shriner called the meeting to order. MINUTES Mr. Henriott moved for approval of the May 28, 2013 minutes. Mrs. Murray seconded. Motion Carried. NEW BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-63 Rostone Circle Scott Dieterle, Engineering Office, stated that William Silvers is the current owner of the property. Initial contact was made on April 23, 2013 with Billy Neal, who is a friend of Mr. Silver. Mr. Dieterle told Mr. Neal of all the corrections that needed to be made on the property to bring it up to code. Mr. Neal was unsure if he would be able to fix it up and also expressed interest in selling the property ‘as is’. Mr. Dieterle has not heard anything else from Mr. Neal or Mr. Williams since the initial contact. Mr. Dieterle stated that the shingles are deteriorated, the roof has holes throughout, the exterior wood, soffit and fascia are rotted throughout. Mr. Dieterle stated that the house is now vacant with the owner living elsewhere. Mr. Dieterle recommended demolishing the structure. The neighbors suggested using the emptied/demolished property for green space. Mr. Henriott moved to affirm the order to demolition. Mrs. Murray seconded. Motion carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-621-623 New York Street Mr. Dieterle stated that he inspected the property last summer in 2012 for a housing inspection. At that time 621 portion of the structure was vacant with 623 having the inspection. The interior was not horrible but the basement deemed to be a problem. There was presence of raw sewage, broken pipes, unattached duct work, electrical wiring dangling, and a propane tank right next to the furnace. The support wall running down the middle of the house has been knocked out in placed to allow for duct work and plumbing. Mr. Dieterle stated that the conditions of the structure were unsafe enough to remove the tenant living in the 623 portion. Mr. Dieterle stated that the owner, Phil Thomas, has not made contact with the Engineering office until yesterday. Mr. Thomas came into the Engineering Office to apply for a building permit, which has not been issued. Mr. Thomas expressed to Mr. Dieterle that he would like to fix up or sell the property. Mr. Dieterle recommended demolishing the structure. Jason Cottrell, Attorney for Stuart & Branigin here on behalf of Lafayette Savings Bank, stated that Lafayette Savings Bank is the mortgage holder for this property. Mr. Cottrell asked the Board for time to enter the property or file a foreclosure to determine whether or not it is financially feasible to make the required repairs back into compliance or to go forward with the foreclosure. Mr. Shriner assured Mr. Cottrell that he would have time to do what is needed on his part even if the Board was to affirm the demolition. Mr. Henriott moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mrs. Murray seconded. Motion Carried. Updates 1205 Kossuth Street- It is a couple weeks from having a final inspection. Mr. Dieterle stated that Bruce Carpenter, Owner, has gone above and beyond with making the necessary changes to the structure. 2725 S. 9th Street- Owner, Joe Wilbur, is to be fixing up the property but no work has been done. Mr. Wilbur gave a completion date on October 11, 2013 to Mr. Dieterle at the time on his demolition hearing in March 2013. 3106 Kossuth Street- Owner, Roy Hanover, is currently is working on the property and staying with the timetable. 1329 Central Street-The framing inspection is scheduled for this Friday. Mr. Dieterle stated that the exterior is being done right now. There are new windows, siding and roof. Devon Plaza- Still has ongoing insurance issues. UNSAFE STRUCTURES REPORT July 23, 2013 63 Rostone Circle Property owner: William Silvers Initial contact: April 23, 2013 (Billy Neal- owners friend) HOUSE Shingles are deteriorated Roof has collapsed in several areas Roof has holes in it thru-out Soffit and fascia rotted thru-out Several windows have rotted trim in which you can see thru into house Several exterior doors rotted Exterior trim rotted thru-out Ceilings collapsing thru-out interior of house Drywall collapsing thru-out house Interior wood structure starting to rot Carpet soaked thru-out house Last contact: None Taxes Current: Yes Recommendation: Demolition 621-623 New York St Property owner: Clugh-Thomas Enterprises LLC Initial contact: None HOUSE Shingles starting to deteriorate Roof is sagging in several areas Soffit and fascia starting to deteriorate Several windows boarded up with plywood Exterior brick starting to crack in areas and deteriorated Raw sewage covering basement floor from broken pipes Mechanicals in basement unusable from contamination Flex duct not attached to furnace or supported properly Several electrical wires not supported properly and soaked with raw sewage Foundation wall busted out to run pipes and flex ducts thru it. This home is an extreme hazard and unfit for human occupancy Last contact: None Taxes Current: Yes Recommendation: Demolition Time: 9:50 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.