Cedar Falls amends nuisance code; staff moves toward demolition at 315 East Dunkerton Road

The City of Cedar Falls City Council on Sept. 15 approved an amendment to the city nuisance code and heard a staff update on ongoing enforcement at 315 East Dunkerton Road.

The council passed Ordinance No. 3123, amending Chapter 15 (Nuisances) of the Code of Ordinances on its second consideration by a 5-1 roll call vote. Council discussion included one explicit dissent pointing to concerns about the ordinance being used to impose citywide homeowners-association–style requirements.

Why it matters: The code amendment clarifies defined nuisances and abatement responsibilities; it was considered alongside an active enforcement matter at a single property the city previously declared a nuisance. Council action on the ordinance changes the legal framework staff will use to pursue cleanups and abatement going forward.

City staff provided a separate update on enforcement at 315 East Dunkerton Road. Director Sheets said the council previously declared the property a nuisance on Aug. 4 and set an abatement schedule: 30 days to clean the interior, followed by 30 days for accessory structures. Staff inspected the property on Sept. 4 and reported limited progress: "only 2 of the 8 primary areas" showed improvement, which staff said is insufficient to meet the abatement requirement.

The condemnation committee reviewed staff's recommendation on Sept. 10 and "felt that the hazards and insanitary conditions remain," Director Sheets said. The committee recommended the city seek asbestos testing proposals; if asbestos is found, staff would bring a contract for asbestos removal to the council and then seek demolition proposals and a demolition contract for council approval. Director Sheets told the council the owner was notified on Sept. 12 about the timeline and next steps.

Staff also said the property's exterior continued to accumulate debris. The owner was given 30 days to clean the exterior or the city would proceed with citation and its normal exterior cleanup process.

Councilor Canfield explained his recorded no vote on the nuisance-code amendment, saying he opposed the ordinance because he did not want it used to impose HOA-style rules citywide.

What the council actually did: Ordinance No. 3123 passed 5-1. No demolition contract was approved at the meeting; staff reported next steps and the condemnation committee's recommendation and will return to the council for any contract approvals.

Closing: The city will proceed with asbestos testing solicitations and, depending on results, bring contracts to the council for removal and/or demolition; the owner has a separate 30-day deadline to clear exterior debris or face city action.