Levelland — The Levelland City Council voted Jan. 6 to issue demolition or abatement orders for six properties the city’s code enforcement staff said are uninhabitable under the International Property Maintenance Code and the International Building Code. Council also tabled one case and gave the owners of 116 Walnut more time to present a revised work plan.

City staff told the council the buildings inspected contained defects that “render said structures uninhabitable and unfit for human occupancy,” and that owners had been notified in accordance with Article 3.71 of the city code of ordinances. The council moved through the properties after a public hearing and took separate formal actions on each address.

Why it matters: The council’s orders are intended to remove safety hazards and return blighted properties to a condition that will not endanger neighbors or public health. Several of the properties have been under repeated review by the Housing Standards Commission; past deadlines and a storm were cited by owners and staff as reasons for incomplete repairs.

What the council did: After hearing from staff and from property owners, the council
- Tabled the case for 116 Walnut and instructed the owners to meet with city staff and return with a revised timeline and written goals at the council’s Jan. 20 meeting. Councilmembers said they will consider a six‑month extension if the owners show measurable progress.
- Issued abatement or demolition orders (30‑day default, up to 90 days in some circumstances) for the following properties: 1308 Ninth Street (Prindle property), 802 Railroad Avenue, 804 Avenue C, 1309 Second Street, and 1311 Second Street. City staff presented title/tax records and interior/exterior photos for each parcel.

Owners and staff: At the public hearing owners of 116 Walnut described ongoing repair work and storm damage setbacks. One owner, identified in the record as Kim, told the council, “We’re literally Levelland, Texas investors trying to handle our first flip … We did put a new roof on. … We were set back, unfortunately, with the storm.” City staff said the structure at 116 Walnut has had repeated inspections and prior deadlines dating to 2023 and that the property has not been brought into full compliance.

Council reaction and conditions: Council members repeatedly urged owners to keep in close contact with code enforcement staff and to provide photo updates. The council emphasized that extensions are conditional on demonstrable progress; several members said demolition is a costly last resort but that public safety and neighborhood restoration guide their decisions.

Votes at a glance:
- 116 Walnut, Levelland — Action: Tabled to Jan. 20 for owners to present revised goals and timeline; possible six‑month extension contingent on progress. Motion carried (voice vote).
- 1308 Ninth Street (Dennis Prindle / new buyer) — Action: Issued abatement/demolition order; 30‑day notice. Motion carried (voice vote).
- 802 Railroad Avenue — Action: Demolition order; 30‑day notice. Motion carried (voice vote).
- 804 Avenue C — Action: Demolition order; 30‑day notice. Motion carried (voice vote).
- 1309 Second Street — Action: Issued abatement/demolition order; 30‑day notice. Motion carried (voice vote).
- 1311 Second Street — Action: Issued abatement/demolition order; 30‑day notice. Motion carried (voice vote).

Background and next steps: Staff said notices were placed on the structures, and the Housing Standards Commission had previously reviewed several of the properties and recommended demolition when owners failed to meet deadlines. For properties sold during the compliance process (for example, 1308 Ninth Street), staff noted title and tax records are updated and the new owner assumes the property’s compliance obligations. The council asked staff to file the required records in county real property records and to report back if owners fail to meet the 30‑day abatement deadlines.