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49 2.2000 -0626, 709 Arch Avenue, demolition by Code Enforcement. <br />50 <br />51 JOHN OXIAN made a request that this matter be tabled, because the Edgewater Liaison <br />52 Committee members had not received proper notice of tonight's meeting, as they ought to <br />53 have been. Furthermore, the liaison committee members had expressed concern regarding <br />54 trees and bushes on the property, which might be destroyed in the demolition of the building. <br />55 <br />56 KATHLEEN DAVIS, director of Code Enforcement for the City of South Bend, inquired the <br />57 names of the liaison members, and then said that she had been in touch with those individuals, <br />58 especially Ann McFadden, on at least a monthly basis, regarding the condition of this house, <br />59 for at least the last year. Additionally, she spoke to the length of time already passed in <br />60 efforts to remediate the property, and in finally deciding that demolition was required. <br />61 <br />62 WAYNE DOOLITTLE reported to the Commission that the property was absolutely <br />63 hopeless, without the expenditure of vast amounts of money, and is increasingly infested and <br />64 hazardous. <br />65 <br />66 JOHN OXIAN told the Board that he himself had taken various people experienced in house <br />67 repair and remediation through the house, and they had told him then that it was too late to <br />68 preserve it, even before it had reached its present deplorable state. <br />69 <br />70 At this point, Gina DeLaruelle entered, and the Chair withdrew his request to table the <br />71 decision, as an Edgewater District liaison member was now present. <br />72 <br />73 MARTHA CHOITZ asked Kathy Davis whether a way might be found to notify HPC earlier <br />74 regarding such properties, as the Commission is sometimes contacted by individuals <br />75 interested in purchase and remediation of distressed properties. <br />76 <br />77 KATHY DAVIS said that that had been done. <br />78 <br />79 JOHN OXIAN agreed that it had, but said that for some period of time the flow of <br />80 information had been impeded among HPC staff and members, and, in brief, that he believed <br />81 that problem is corrected. <br />82 <br />83 There was discussion of the fact that the lot is too small, according to City Code, for any new <br />84 house. Kathy Davis said that the lot is so small that the likelihood of anyone wishing to seek <br />85 a variance to place a house there is unlikely. <br />86 <br />87 GINA DELARUELLE acknowledged the necessity of demolishing the house, but expressed' <br />88 concern about the trees and bushes around it, and the subsequent condition of the lot. <br />89 <br />90 Ms. Davis said that the company doing the demolition is not paid unless the property is <br />91 cleaned to the City's approval. <br />92 - <br />93 The Commission asked Ms. Davis whether HPC's inspector could be notified of the time and <br />94 day of the demolition, so as to be present, and Ms. Davis agreed. <br />95 <br />2 <br />