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Greenwood commission affirms demolition order for unsafe property at 1761 East Main Street
Summary
After confirming proper notice, the commission affirmed the building commissioner’s demolition order for the property at 1761 East Main Street and authorized preparation of findings of fact; the owner has been given a timeline to obtain permits and begin demolition.
The Greenwood Advisory Planning Commission on Monday affirmed an order finding the property at 1761 East Main Street unsafe and directed the property owner to abate the nuisance by demolishing the buildings.
Building commissioner Kenneth Seals told the commission that his office had reissued the notice after correcting a prior service error and that he had received communications from the out-of-state owner indicating the owner was soliciting demolition bids. "The owner does not have a registered agent or a owner's rep for the property out here," Seals said, adding that he had been in contact with the owner in California and that the owner "has solicited bids by demolition companies and he's waiting for third. As soon as that comes through, he's gonna make a decision on which company to go with and he will... take the permits and have the property... demolished".
Seals said the city had recorded the order with Johnson County and recommended an enforcement schedule: 10 days after affirmation to obtain a demolition permit and 30 days after that to complete demolition, subject to verification of reasonable progress.
Motion and outcome: Commissioner Stambaugh moved to find the property unsafe and to order demolition in accordance with the building commissioner’s order (JGJ Property LLC to abate by demolishing structures and clearing the lots within the time frame); Commissioner Price seconded. The commission voted 8-0 to affirm the order. The commission also directed the city attorney to prepare written findings of fact and an order incorporating evidence submitted into the record and authorized the president to sign the findings.
Why it matters: The property has an ongoing record of police reports and nuisance complaints and presents liability and safety concerns. Commissioners requested documentation demonstrating demolition progress; staff said the city can record liens and pursue available state funds or administrative remedies if the owner fails to act.
Next steps: The owner will have 10 days after the commission’s affirmed order to pull demolition permits and 30 days thereafter to complete demolition, subject to monitoring for reasonable progress. If the owner fails to comply, staff indicated the city has mechanisms to recover costs and record liens.
