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Owner disputes notice as Lorain board places 446 Delaware back on demolition list
Summary
The board placed 446 Delaware back on the demolition list after the owner failed to appear; the owner said he had not received notice, filed emergency court paperwork incorrectly and is seeking ways to stop the demolition. Staff cited a 10/02/2024 administrative inspection and an administrative search warrant.
The Demolition Board of Appeals voted May 15 to place 446 Delaware back on the demolition list after the property owner, Tristan Kidd, failed to appear at the start of the meeting and the board determined the property's condition met demolition criteria.
Owner's account. Tristan Kidd told the board he had been unaware that the property had reached the demolition stage and said he recently filed court paperwork attempting to stop the demolition but that the paperwork was not the emergency temporary restraining order he intended. "I didn't receive any of these proper letters to know that my property was being demoed," Kidd said, adding he has been doing cleanup and repairs and that he has a proposed financing plan and a line of credit.
Staff evidence and board rationale. Building staff told the board the property had been inspected on Oct. 2, 2024 and that the department had obtained an administrative search warrant to examine interior conditions after observing significant exterior deterioration, including broken windows, high grass and repeated nuisance postings. "The judge granted that search warrant for based purely on the exterior conditions," a building representative said.
Board action and legal posture. The board voted to place the property back on the demolition list for failure to appear; members said the demolition program follows consistent notice and service procedures (regular and certified mail plus door posting). One board member noted that the demolition contractor and abatement work had already been scheduled and paid out of grant funds, which limited the board's latitude to delay the demolition at that meeting. Attempts to secure a 30-day hold failed for lack of a second. Staff recommended the owner coordinate immediately with the building, housing and planning department and with legal counsel to resolve outstanding permit closures and any court filings.
Next steps. The city advised Kidd to pursue counsel and to provide any additional evidence of permitting, financing, or proof of service of court filings. Staff also said the owner must close outstanding trade permits and schedule final inspections if the owner seeks removal from the demolition list in a future meeting.
