Laserfiche WebLink
Toppel: We have an ajjirmed demolition order from the Hearing Ojjicer. Before the City <br />cam proceed with demolition, we need to come forward for a Certificate of <br />Appropriateness, but we actually have an order to proceed with demolition of the <br />property... <br />Klusczinski: Due to safety issues. And do we have that as part of our record? That you <br />have control of the property? <br />Toppel: We actually don't own the property. This is a hearing order, and no, I apologize <br />I have a copy here that I can certainly submit... <br />Greene: When property is in, the condition such as it goes before the Code Enforcement <br />bureau or division, there is an administrative hearing that is held and the property owner <br />has the opportunity to come forward, they're cited for violation of City Code. They have <br />the opportunity to come forward, present evidence, they're given the opportunity to <br />repair the property. If they don't comply with the order that is entered by the Code <br />Enforcement officer then a demolition order is entered, and Code Enforcement has the <br />right by statute to proceed to demolish the property and then the property owner becomes <br />responsible for the cost of demolition. Correct, Catherine? <br />Toppel: That's absolutely correct. Under Indiana Unsafe Building Law 36-7-9, that is <br />what gives the department of Code Enforcement the authority to proceed with demolition <br />hearings. They do have a 10 day appeal period only. In fact, he never did, but in fact <br />contacted us which is why we came in for a modification. There have actually been <br />several demolition hearings- March 31, 2005, May 10, 2005, May 12, 2005 and May 19, <br />2005. Finally, in February, we took bids on February 27, 2007. We've been through <br />numerous hearings on this with the hopes to entice the owner, as opposed to demolition. <br />Demolition is always my last resort. Frankly, its going to cost the city lots of dollars and <br />there's beautiful architecture on this home that's been totally ruined because its out in <br />the elements. I can submit the findings to you; they have been recorded, and are in fact <br />on the title of the property. <br />Greene: The appeal period has run, correct? <br />Toppel: Absolutely, two years ago. <br />Patrick: I'd like to ask a question if I may. Has anyone been inside the structure? In a <br />professional capacity? <br />Hostetler: Wayne and Bob Yapp went through it. <br />Patrick: Oh really? <br />Hostetler: That's what the report says, the staff report. The Preservation Specialist <br />toured the house and documented the damage in 2005. That's where you've got those <br />interior shots from. <br />Patrick: So that's my question, pursuant to that, in more recent times, have... <br />Hostetler: It's not safe. <br />Patrick: That was my question, it's not safe enough for anyone to salvage anything out of <br />if indeed there were anything....? <br />Hostetler: It's not worth dying over. <br />Patrick: No, nothing's worth dying over. <br />Toppel: These are our actual findings that we did allow for modification, and if the <br />modification conditions were not met that it was to go forward... <br />Hostetler: May we have that? <br />Toppel: Yeah, and then I'll get with you to get a copy back <br />Chase: I have a question just for information. So what is procedure for the city when a <br />property is abandoned and it must be destroyed... does it go up for auction and then the <br />proceeds go to the city to repay the expense? What's the process on that? <br />Toppel: Actually the demolition, we let out for bids. We did have a low bid at $6891.00, <br />which was the low bid. That will go as alien on that particular property. Eventually, it <br />may go up for tax sale, for back taxes, but no the city doesn't acquire the property itself. <br />Ujdak: Is the property owner or former property owner still paying taxes on it? <br />M <br />