Building Standards Commission orders demolition or removal of 18 properties; owners given appeal rights and some requested delays

The City of Lufkin Building Standards Commission held a special call meeting to consider 18 properties for abatement, demolition or other action under the property maintenance code and the International Property Maintenance Code.

Chief Building Official Calvin James presented the properties and the relevant code standards. For each property the commission considered documentation of notices and inspections and then voted on an order to demolish or otherwise abate the structure. For example, the commission voted to order demolition for 1123 Sayers Street (accessory structures), 305 McMullen Street, 404 Lock Alley, 510 Dogwood Trail, 701 Oak Glen Avenue, 102 Everett Street, 718 West Frank Avenue, 1512 Fair Street, 1814 Smith Street, 1607 Sayer Street, 910 North Chestnut Street and others on the list. Staff reported taxes owed on some parcels (for example, 910 North Chestnut listed as $9,078 in taxes owed in the meeting record) and the dates of first notices; those numbers were presented by staff as part of the property summaries.

The commission recorded that owners have options: owners may perform demolition themselves, and if they do not, the city may perform demolition and assess charges to the property owner. Calvin James explained the notification and appeal process: staff will send an order of demolition by certified mail; once the green card is returned or marked undeliverable the 30-day clock for an appeal to district court begins. A commission member clarified the city's legal obligation to proceed once an order is issued.

Several property owners spoke. At 510 Dogwood Trail a speaker identified himself as David Marrero and said he had attempted a remodel but concluded the cost was too high and expected the city to demolish the house. At 624 West Frank Avenue (owner-occupied discussion) Syed Hassan said he bought the house for $7,000, spent approximately $1,500 boarding windows to comply with the city, and asked for extra time while he seeks a moving company; staff and another participant noted the one-year waiting period after boarding has already passed. Albert Weathers, who said he previously owned a nearby lot, said he wanted the property moved and supported demolition. The commission moved and seconded demolition orders on the items presented and carried each motion by voice vote.

The commission emphasized owners' rights to appeal in district court within 30 days after certified notice; staff said it will give priority to owners who contact the city and indicate they will perform demolition themselves. The meeting record shows the commission systematically reviewed each property and approved demolition orders where inspectors documented code violations and lack of corrective action.

The commission’s action authorizes staff to proceed with abatement if owners do not act within the statutory appeal window; costs for city-performed demolitions will be charged to property owners when applicable.