Hot Springs board condemns house at 101 Montreal, delays decisions on two other blighted properties

The Hot Springs Board of Directors voted Oct. 20 to adopt a resolution declaring the single-family structure at 101 Montreal Street a public nuisance and ordering it removed, and tabled separate condemnation resolutions for properties at 229 Bluff Street and 210 Walter Street until the board's Dec. 16 business meeting.

City neighborhood services staff told the board the Montreal Street property's owners, Jacqueline Hill and Peggy West, requested city removal after a title search showed the estate of a deceased prior owner had not been probated. Neighborhood services manager James Hardage said family members removed siding and doors, further damaging the building and increasing public-safety risk. The board's motion to adopt the resolution declaring the structure a nuisance passed on a roll-call vote with all directors voting yes.

The two other condemnations drew public comment and more discussion. At a hearing on 229 Bluff Street, resident Adrienne Knowles said she has been paying taxes, has family ties to the…