Seymour council orders condemnations, sets remediation deadlines and accepts one property conveyance

The Seymour City Council on March 20 approved multiple actions to address dilapidated and vacant properties across the city, authorizing condemnation steps in some cases, setting deadlines for owners to secure or remediate structures, and accepting the conveyance of one property to the city.

The measures aim to reduce safety and nuisance risks from vacant structures and to give owners time to sell or repair properties before the city takes further action. Council members said the decisions balance enforcement with giving property owners opportunity to remedy conditions.

Council action included a motion to move forward with condemnation procedures for a long-vacant property at 211 South Tackett owned by Promise Land Properties; the council voted to engage legal services (Texas Communities Group) and start the condemnation process, action approved 4-0. City staff had reported no response from the out-of-state owner after certified notices.

The council set shorter remediation and security deadlines for several properties after hearing from owners at the public hearing portion of the meeting. For the property at 808 North Donald, staff told the council the owner requested time and the house presents no immediate safety hazard; the council approved a plan requiring the owner to secure the building within 30 days and to remove or remediate the structure within three months, motion passed 4-0.

For 401 North Arkansas the council gave the owner 90 days to seal openings (windows or dormers) and to make visible repairs to remove the property from the dilapidated list; the council said it would revisit the item in three months if progress was not made, motion passed 4-0. Council members emphasized that open dormers and roof holes invite animals and vandalism and increase neighborhood risk.

Several owners asked for more time. CT Holmes, owner of 601 South Washington, told the council he had recently had major spinal surgeries and asked for more time to clean up or sell his property; Holmes said, "I would like maybe at least 6 months before I could see if I can get some stuff done on it." The council instead placed the property on a 90-day review schedule for progress toward sale or remediation, action approved 4-0.

At 301 North Arkansas the property owner reported the structure was already being torn down by the owner; staff noted no council action was required because remediation is underway.

At the meeting the council also accepted an owner’s offer to convey the property at 402 East Morris to the city. City staff said the conveyance would be subject to confirming title and parcel lines, and the council approved moving forward with conveyance paperwork, vote 4-0. Owner Kevin Johnson spoke in the public hearing, saying he had considered options and had limited resources to demolish the structure himself.

Council gave owner Tammy Estrada (listed in city records) 90 days to pursue sale or remediation of the property recorded at 301 North Arkansas where necessary; the council said that if no progress is shown the city will proceed with further action, vote 4-0.

Two other items on the agenda also drew formal action: council instructed staff to begin condemnation procedures for 205 West McLean after certified notices returned and no contact with the owner, vote 4-0; and the council allowed property owner Linda Rogers 90 days to pursue sale efforts for the commercial-residential property at 907 North Main, with a review scheduled thereafter, vote 4-0.

City staff outlined the owner options repeatedly during the hearing: property owners may (1) voluntarily convey a parcel to the city for cleanup and resale, (2) hire private contractors to remediate or demolish a structure, or (3) face city-initiated condemnation and cleanup with the city placing a lien or billing the owner. Lauren (City Administrator/City Secretary) explained those options to owners during the public hearing.

The council’s actions came after a multi-hour public hearing during which several owners described medical, financial or logistical barriers to faster remediation. Council members said they would revisit items as scheduled and that the city prefers voluntary compliance but will use condemnation where owners cannot be reached or the property continues to create safety and nuisance issues.

The council also approved the meeting’s consent agenda earlier in the session by voice vote, the motion carried 4-0.

Looking ahead, council members said staff will bring back status updates at the next regular meeting and will proceed with formal legal steps where owners fail to meet the recalled deadlines.