The Property Maintenance Board of Appeals meeting held on September 11, 2025, in Coldwater, Michigan, focused on a significant appeal regarding property maintenance issues at 340 West Chicago Street. The meeting began with the introduction of the appellant, Ms. Grasco, who presented her case against several code violations cited by the city.

Ms. Grasco expressed her concerns about the city's enforcement actions, particularly regarding a 48-hour notice for addressing dangerous conditions and a 10-day notice related to the removal of what the city classified as trash. She argued that the materials in question, including sheet metal and other metals, were not trash but valuable commodities that had been moved out of sight to comply with city regulations.

During the discussion, Ms. Grasco highlighted her experience in the construction and restaurant industries, asserting that items deemed junk by city officials could potentially be salvaged and sold by others. She voiced her frustration over the possibility of unauthorized individuals entering her property to remove items, which she described as a form of theft.

The board members engaged with Ms. Grasco, seeking clarification on her plans to secure valuable items and address the structural concerns within her building. Ms. Grasco indicated her intention to hire a structural engineer to assess the safety of the building and propose a plan for safely removing materials without endangering workers.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges between property owners and city regulations, particularly regarding the definitions of junk and the enforcement of maintenance codes. The board will continue to review the appeal and consider Ms. Grasco's proposed plans for compliance, with further discussions anticipated in future meetings.