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Council orders nuisance-abatement process for Brownfield Drive property
Summary
Council passed a resolution directing the building commissioner to begin summary nuisance abatement proceedings for a Brownfield Drive property that officials said has severe exterior hazards and hoarding-related conditions.
The City Council on Feb. 18 adopted a resolution requesting the building commissioner institute summary nuisance abatement at 6601 Brownfield Drive after council and staff described the property as a hoarding and exterior-hazard situation.
Councilwoman Lyme, who sponsored the resolution, said the property had been the subject of repeated enforcement discussion and that neighbors urged action. The building and code director explained the summary abatement authority gives the city legal leverage to remove garbage, trespassing hazards and other exterior nuisances and — if necessary — to remediate up to and including demolition. The director said demolition would not be the preferred outcome because the house’s structure is repairable and that remediation costs could be substantially lower than demolition in some cases.
Council discussed the differences between routine code enforcement and formal nuisance abatement. One council member emphasized nuisance abatement is not always synonymous with demolition; another said the tool provides legal standing to step onto property and remove hazardous materials when owners do not act.
Resolution 33-25 passed on a roll call during the Feb. 18 council meeting. Staff said abatement would proceed consistent with city procedures and that committee-level discussion on nuisance-abatement policy is ongoing.
