Owner of 3212 Pleasant Plain agrees to inspection; demolition authority stayed pending compliance

At an Elkhart OTA hearing, the owner of 3212 Pleasant Plain, Nancy Baker, told the hearing she intends to repair the fire‑damaged house and provided evidence of contractor engagement. City code officers said the property is vacant, has broken and boarded windows, holes allowing animals into the basement and a deteriorating detached structure; they recommended a demolition order if progress is not made.

The hearing officer found the structure unsafe but agreed to stay demolition so long as Baker meets with building inspector Paul Goodwin within two weeks to obtain an inspection and then negotiate a compliance agreement. The city asked that the exterior work be completed by July 29, 2025; the hearing officer said the outside work is the priority and interior timelines can be negotiated later.

Baker said she had a contractor under contract and a deposit in place but described delays caused by storm damage and tree removal after severe weather. City staff told her the notice of violations predated the storms and emphasized the need for concrete forward progress. Rickoff directed Baker to contact the building inspector by the deadline and noted that the city would enter findings of fact reflecting the stay and the requirement to enter a compliance agreement after inspection.

The hearing officer said if Baker complies and demonstrates forward progress the city will work with her on timelines; if not, the stay could be lifted and the city could proceed with demolition.