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Board grants six-month temporary dwelling extension at 221 Ida Street, sets Oct. 3 permit deadline
Summary
The Board approved a conditional six-month extension allowing a resident to occupy a temporary recreational vehicle at 221 Ida Street, requiring a building permit by Oct. 3 and a timetable for rehabilitation or the waiver to expire March 3, 2026.
The Hot Springs Board of Directors voted to conditionally permit temporary occupancy of a recreational vehicle at 221 Ida Street and to waive certain zoning requirements for up to six months, provided the property owner obtains a building permit for repair work by Oct. 3, 2025. The resolution specifies that the temporary use must end and a certificate of occupancy be issued for the permanent structure before a final occupancy certificate will be granted.
Planning and Development Director Kathy Selman told the board the structure was rendered uninhabitable by fire several years ago and that the title and estate matters complicated permitting. Selman said the owner, identified in probate filings as Tullyhorn Ford Jr. (heir), has been working with an attorney; probate counsel reported that deeds and distribution papers were being readied and the estate should close soon.
Selman reviewed the existing administrative history: the board had previously allowed a six-month temporary occupancy conditioned on a building permit and a certificate of occupancy by July 21; the deadline passed with utilities provided temporarily by a neighbor but without code-compliant utility connections or a building permit. Selman said, “Should the board approve this request, it should be conditioned that by 10/03/2025, Ms. Coles obtains a building permit for repairs to the structure,” and that the temporary authorization would expire on March 3, 2026 if conditions are not met.
Directors discussed enforcement options and the need for progress rather than repeated extensions. Director (Trustee) said if a building permit is not pulled by Oct. 3 the board could proceed with condemnation; the city attorney confirmed condemnation would require separate proceedings and notice. Director of trustee moved for the Oct. 3 permit condition; after discussion the board approved the resolution with the stated condition.
Roll call recorded unanimous approval: Directors Phyllis Beard, Marsha Dobb Smith, Dudley Webb, Karen Garcia, Trustee, Erin Holiday, and Mayor Pat McCabe voted in favor.
Discussion vs. decision: The vote was a formal extension conditioned on a building permit by Oct. 3 and removal of the temporary unit once the permanent structure is code-compliant; separate condemnation proceedings remain an available enforcement path if conditions are not met.
Background and next steps: The applicant was not present at the meeting. Staff said the typical rehab permit term is six months; if the applicant pulls a permit and demonstrates meaningful construction progress, staff will inspect and may allow the timeline to proceed to the March 3, 2026 expiration. If no permit is pulled by Oct. 3, the temporary waiver will lapse and the city may start condemnation steps.
