Commission orders demolition of dangerous structure at 1208 West Third after public hearing

The Breckenridge City Commission on Thursday declared the building at 1208 West Third Street substandard and ordered it demolished within 30 days after a public hearing and extended discussion.

At the hearing, property representative Philip Smith said he had hired a local contractor and ‘‘he says he can get it into compliance’’ and that the contractor had begun framing and siding work. Smith said his son, who he described as “disabled” and living nearby, uses the structure as a storage/work space and that the family’s goal is to restore water service and stabilize the location so the son can continue living in the neighborhood.

City staff told commissioners the site’s exterior and structural problems remain and that while cleanup of surrounding debris has occurred, staff ‘‘do not see any improvements to the structure itself.’’ Staff presented two options: declare the building substandard and require demolition, or declare it substandard and allow additional time for repairs with a deadline and demolition if those repairs are not completed.

Commissioners questioned the scope and likely cost of repairs. One commissioner said $3,000 was ‘‘just drying in’’ and not sufficient to make the trailer livable, and another estimated it could cost ‘‘$20,000’’ to $25,000 or more for full rehabbing. Commissioners repeatedly noted the city’s obligation to protect public safety in the surrounding neighborhood in addition to the occupant’s well-being.

After discussion, a motion to declare the building dangerous and order demolition within 30 days was made and seconded. The commission voted by voice: all in favor; none opposed. The motion passed.

The record shows the commission considered the property owner’s stated repairs and the family circumstances but concluded the structure’s condition posed an unacceptable risk to the community. The city manager and staff will follow up to implement the demolition order and logistical steps for removal if the structure has not been brought to code by the deadline.

The decision closes the public hearing for the item; staff said the commission could choose to allow more time instead of demolition but did not do so.

What happens next: city staff will issue the demolition order and proceed with enforcement if the owner does not make the structure safe before the 30-day deadline. The transcript does not record a detailed demolition schedule or contractor name for the city’s removal work.

Quotes used in this article come from the public hearing record and commissioners’ discussion as presented at the March meeting.