La Porte council orders demolition of dangerous house at 711 West Adams, amends text to let owner keep slab temporarily

The La Porte City Council voted to condemn and require demolition of a dangerous, substandard single‑family dwelling at 711 West Adams, approving an amended ordinance that removes a requirement to demolish the concrete slab immediately so the owner can pursue plans to rebuild.

City staff told the council that certified notices were sent and the owner requested time to demolish and rebuild but has not submitted demolition or building permits. "No permits have been submitted at this time," a city staff member said during the public hearing. Photographs presented by staff showed a repaired roof but extensive rot, buckling siding and doors leading to two‑story drops.

Councilmembers pressed staff on previous deadlines and options. Staff reported the owner had already been given a total of 210 days of opportunities (150 days from an August 26 action plus an additional 60 days granted on Feb. 10) and that no demolition or building permits had been filed. Councilmember Martin proposed an amended approach: allow demolition of the structure but permit the owner to keep the slab temporarily while submitting building plans. "I make a motion that we move forward with the demo with the exclusion of of the of the slab at this time," Martin said. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Williams and carried after a voice vote; the council recorded one opposed.

The ordinance as adopted (captioned in council material as Ordinance 2024‑4013) orders owners to commence demolition within the timetable set in the ordinance and authorizes the city to remove the structure if owners do not comply. Council instructed staff to amend the ordinance text at the table to remove the clause that would have required immediate removal of the slab and associated concrete improvements; staff confirmed that change is achievable through the adopted amendment.

Council discussion clarified next steps if the owner submits building plans in time: the owner can stop the city's demolition action and proceed with their own work; if the owner does not produce valid permits within the specified time, the city will have authority to complete removal as described in the adopted ordinance.

The council closed the public hearing before taking action and then passed the amended ordinance with the amended demolition language. Staff will place a notice on the building and forward the ordinance to the property owners as required by the ordinance.