Coldwater board orders exterior secured, sets Nov. 6 review in property-safety appeal

The Coldwater Board of Appeals on an appeal over a deteriorating commercial building ordered the property’s exterior secured by Sept. 30 and adjourned a fuller decision until a Nov. 6 follow-up hearing.

The board took the action during a hearing on case PMA2501, an appeal filed by the property owner of 340 West Chicago Street in Coldwater, who told the board she has scheduled a structural-engineer visit for Oct. 15 and will present any plans at a later meeting.

The board said its immediate priority is public safety and the physical security of the building’s openings. A city staff member summarized the staff position in the hearing: “So the staff recommendation, if we can get the building secured and we have a plan for the junk and property maintenance, we are willing to work with her with the rest of the violations going forward.” The board made securing the building a compliance requirement and directed city staff to…