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Board allows 90 days for repairs or demolition after declaring two Freeport structures dangerous
Summary
The Board of Adjustment approved a 90-day period for a reportedly under-contract property at Freeport’s Block B Lot 5 to submit repair plans, and ordered the owner of 1222 West Tenth Street to secure the property within 10 days and make progress toward demolition within 90 days after staff found structural damage exceeding 50%.
The Board of Adjustment opened two public hearings and approved timeframes intended to address two hurricane- and storm-damaged structures in Freeport.
In the first case (Freeport, Block B, Lot 5; property ID 262237), staff reported the structure was already in a dilapidated condition before the storm and that the post-storm damage exceeded 50 percent. The city building official said the structure was declared dangerous on Feb. 11 and that the current owner told staff the property is under contract for sale and that FEMA reimbursement had been received. Staff recommended allowing 90 days for the new ownership to contact the city and submit repair plans; the board voted to allow 90 days for the new owner to reach out to the city regarding repairs and plan submittals (motion made by Kenny; seconded by Sammy; motion passed unanimously). The staff clarification was that the 90-day clock begins on the date of the board’s ruling.
The second case involved 1222 West Tenth Street (Victory Freeport Block 2, Lot 15; property ID 262438). Danielle Connolly, who identified herself as the owner and a resident at 1222 West Tenth Street, described water damage, warped floors and roof problems and said she has limited funds: “I’m on a fixed income. I’m retired, so I don’t have a whole lot of money,” she told the board, and said she would try to tear down the house herself if she could not raise demolition funds.
Shelby, the city staff member who inspected the property, reported that the structure’s integrity had been compromised before the storm and that the damage now exceeded 50 percent. Shelby said demolition was recommended because repairing would likely cost more than tearing down and that the city needs to see progress if a time extension is granted. Shelby also recommended securing the property promptly because of open doors and potential trespassers.
The board approved a motion requiring the owner to secure the property within 10 days and allowing 90 days to make progress toward demolition or to submit plans (motion moved by not specified in transcript; seconded by not specified; motion passed unanimously). The owner said she expected to start and hoped to complete work in about three months.
Votes at a glance - Approval of meeting minutes for 01/23/2025 — motion made (mover not specified in transcript), seconded by Sammy; approved unanimously. - Freeport, Block B, Lot 5 (property ID 262237) — allow 90 days for new owner to submit repair plans; motion moved by Kenny, seconded by Sammy; approved unanimously. - 1222 West Tenth Street (Victory Freeport Block 2, Lot 15; property ID 262438) — require the property be secured within 10 days and allow 90 days to make progress on demolition or plan submittal; motion passed unanimously.
The board closed the hearings after approving the timeframes and asked staff to monitor compliance and report back if progress is not evident.
