Cleveland orders abatement for two vacant, deteriorated structures; third property already demolished

The Cleveland City Council voted to order the abatement of two vacant, deteriorated structures and noted one other property had already been demolished by its owner.

At a council meeting in February, city code staff presented findings from the zoning board of adjustments recommending abatement for 213 South Fenner Avenue and 217 South Washington Street because inspectors found severe structural deterioration, open access to the public, large accumulations of debris and other conditions that pose public-health and safety risks. City staff said notices were sent by certified mail and posted as required by the city’s substandard-structure ordinance.

The recommendation for 213 South Fenner, a single-family residence owned by Ashley Cole, cited fire damage, torn roofing, widespread water damage to wood decking and framing, broken and missing windows, and extensive interior debris that creates a rodent and sanitary hazard. The council voted 5-0 to issue an abatement order giving the owner 30 days to remedy the violations; if the owner does not comply the city may proceed with demolition and assess costs to the property owner.

Representatives for 217 South Washington told the council they are pursuing permit plans to restore the building “to a shell” and are not planning to install electrical, plumbing or HVAC as part of the initial work. Jim Condra, a representative for the property, said the applicant obtained an engineer’s report indicating the building can support a new roof and described ongoing resubmissions of permit plans. “We thought it was all closed up … the plans, we had to resubmit a few times to get clarity for what we were actually doing, which is just to restore to a shell. No electric, no plumbing, no HVAC,” Condra said.

Millie Lavar, director of community development, told the council the only outstanding item blocking permit issuance was a compliance check for the building envelope required under the city’s adoption of the 2015 International Code Council energy code; mechanical, electrical and plumbing checks were not required because the scope had been reduced. Lavar said staff had been in contact with the applicant and could provide clarification to complete the permit process.

Given the outstanding permitting activity, the council approved an abatement order for 217 South Washington while allowing the owner at least 30 days to pursue permits; the motion passed 3-2. City staff said the abatement order would remain available for 90 days after the compliance window to allow time for permit activity before the city would take enforcement action.

A third property, 634 Easy Street, was reported to the council as already compliant: the property owner demolished the structure at the owner’s expense, and staff recommended marking that item as complied and closing the enforcement process.

The council’s actions follow the city’s substandard-buildings ordinance, and each abatement order includes a 30-day compliance window before the city may take further enforcement steps and recover costs from the property owner.

Councilmembers and city staff said the orders aim to reduce public-safety risks from open and unsecured buildings and to clear conditions that could allow trespass, vandalism and rodent infestation.