Board affirms demolitions for multiple unsafe properties, grants short extensions to several owners

The Anderson Board of Public Safety on Oct. 13 affirmed demolition orders for multiple properties found unsafe or uninhabitable and granted short extensions or conditional continuances for several owners and tax-lien purchasers who promised plans or contractor meetings.

Trina (title not stated in the transcript) — the code enforcement presenter — told the board the properties shown in the packet had open doors, structural damage, or were stripped and posed public-nuisance concerns. The board voted to affirm demolition orders for multiple addresses and set deadlines or follow-up meetings for owners who requested more time to secure financing, pull permits or produce a contractor plan. One recurring instruction from the board: property owners must meet with code enforcement and pull permits if they intend to renovate; otherwise the board will move to demolish.

Highlights and why it matters: The board affirmed demolition orders for properties the city described as unsafe or gutted. For owners who requested time, the board typically granted a two-week continuance (next meeting Oct. 27) or a longer deadline where investors demonstrated active plans (example: 2023 Cedar Street extended to Jan. 12, 2026, conditional on a written plan and permits). Those deadlines affect property owners, neighbors and neighborhood redevelopment plans.

Key outcomes (Votes at a glance): - Continued cleanup/enforcement: 1019 Post Road (owner Tom) — continued to Oct. 27; board warned demolition will follow if not cleaned in two weeks. - Extensions pending contractor/plan: 1004 West First Street (Fadi Abdallah) — continued to Oct. 27; owner given two weeks for contractor evaluation. - 321 West 20 Second Street (same owner) — continued to Oct. 27, with requirement that contractor meet code inspector and pull permits for a three-month progress program if saved. - 2023 Cedar Street (James and Stephanie Brinkley, tax sale purchasers) — extension to Jan. 12, 2026; owner must meet inspector with a written plan and pull permits to remain in compliance. - Demolition affirmed: 603 Lewise Street; 2611 East Lynn Street; 825 Henry Street; 208 & 208 1/2 West Twelfth Street; 209 West Twelfth Street; 2104 West Nineteenth Street; 1516 West Twentieth Street; 1518 West Twentieth Street; 2402 Fairview Street; 2031 Fletcher Street; 1025 West Ninth Street. - Extensions for other problem properties and administrative actions: 1211 & 1215 Hendricks Street — extended to Oct. 27; 1314 Fairfax — extended to Jan. 12, 2026 (owner indicated intent to sell and work toward remediation); 301 Elvis Street — vacate order approved to permit demolition previously affirmed.

Selected remarks from the meeting: Owner Fadi Abdallah on 1019 Post Road and related parcels said he was assembling funds and tools to clean up and offered a near-term plan: "I should have the money tomorrow, and I'm gonna just get me 1 of those dumpsters put out there so I can just throw everything in there." The board cautioned that if the property is not cleaned by the Oct. 27 meeting they will proceed with demolition.

Code enforcement guidance and conditions: The board repeatedly required (1) owners who plan to save a property must meet with the code inspector, (2) submit a written plan and (3) pull permits and make measurable progress (the inspector described an "every 3 month program" for ongoing work). Several owners agreed to meet with the inspector and to provide contractor schedules and permit applications by the listed deadlines.

Next steps: Property owners granted continuances are scheduled to appear at the Oct. 27 meeting or return with contractor plans and permit documentation by the dates specified. For properties where demolition was affirmed, the city will proceed with notification and demolition scheduling consistent with prior orders.