Lawton council declares more than a dozen properties dilapidated, authorizes abatement

The Lawton City Council on Aug. 27 held public hearings and approved resolutions declaring more than a dozen properties citywide dilapidated, ordering abatement and authorizing the city attorney to pursue legal action where the record and code allow.

The agenda item listed addresses across multiple wards and included both primary and secondary structures. Staff repeatedly cited the basis for each action as the Lawton City Code (agenda references included “section 651, Lawton City Code”), noting common conditions including damaged roofing, broken windows, missing siding, evidence of vagrancy and inactive water service. For many properties staff told the council no remediation permits had been filed as of the morning of the meeting; for some properties the city’s photographs showed open doors or interior access, elevating public-safety concerns.

Public speakers at several hearings said they intend to repair or sell problem properties. Chad Rogers, who said he owns the adjacent lot at 403 Chimney Creek, told the council his neighbor’s structure at 23–25 Northwest 20 Fourth Street “needs torn down.” Bridal Adcock, representing an owner, told the council they “are actively getting bids to get it torn down.” Broker and property manager Natalie Jimerson said Midwest CAP — the owner of a cluster of properties — had taken steps to secure and market units and that her organization aims to sell holdings in Lawton: “Every property that Midwest CAP owns in Lawton, Oklahoma, our goal is to sell them off piece by piece,” she said.

Other speakers described active renovation plans. Casey Foster, who said he owns a rental with a secondary structure at 712 Northwest Ferris Avenue, told the council the main house “looks beautiful” and asked for time to pull a remodel permit; the mayor outlined the council’s usual timeline for such items: six weeks to pull a permit and six months to complete the work, with extensions possible for demonstrable progress. Joanne Miles said she had a buyer under contract for 2334 Southwest Cornell Avenue and asked the council to allow the sale to proceed; the council agreed to return that item in 30 days for status review. Paula Cooper, representing a family in probate, said the Comanche Nation might assist with rehabilitation costs for a long-standing family property at 905 Southwest Sixteenth Street.

Several structures were already removed, the council noted. For example, staff reported the secondary structure at 501 Northwest Fifth Street and the structure at 1804 Southwest E Avenue had been demolished and therefore required no further action. For the other properties the council approved resolutions declaring the structures dilapidated, authorizing summary abatement and authorizing the city attorney to commence legal action in district court if owners did not remediate per the resolution.

Votes and next steps: The council recorded roll-call approvals on each resolution during the meeting. Where owners told the council they plan to rehabilitate, council members indicated the D&D (dilapidated and dangerous) process would generally allow the new owner or owner’s contractor a window to pull permits and proceed with inspections if the owner shows progress. Neighborhood Services staff will continue to accept permit applications and report back to the council on compliance and inspection status.

Votes at a glance (selected items and outcomes)

- 23 & 25 Northwest 20 Fourth Street — Declared dilapidated; abatement authorized; owner’s representative said bids for demolition were being obtained; motion approved (roll call recorded). - 2325 Northwest 20 Fourth Street (as listed) — Declared dilapidated; abatement authorized (roll call recorded). - 712 Northwest Ferris Avenue (secondary structure) — Declared dilapidated; owner (Casey Foster) told council he will seek permits; council placed timeline: 6 weeks to pull permit, 6 months to complete work (motion approved). - 908 Southwest 30 Fourth Street — Declared dilapidated; abatement authorized after public comments from a broker who said the property is on the market (motion approved). - 2334 Southwest Cornell Avenue — Council agreed to revisit in 30 days to allow the buyer time to proceed; motion to revisit passed. - 501 Northwest Fifth Street (secondary structure) — Staff reported the structure already demolished; no further action needed. - 1804 Southwest E Avenue — Staff reported structure removed; no further action needed. - 5321 Northwest Ash Avenue — Declared dilapidated; owner (Mike Hedding) said he had replaced most siding and attempted to pull permits but encountered a system hold; council approved resolution and advised he apply for permits. - 204 Southwest Sixteenth Street; 2705 Southwest G Avenue; 204 SW 16th; 705 SW 14th; 807 NW 50 First Street; 905 SW 16th; 907 NW Columbia (secondary); 912 West Gore Boulevard; 1213 SW H Avenue (secondary) — All were considered in separate hearings and the council adopted resolutions declaring the structures dilapidated and authorizing abatement where staff confirmed unresolved code violations (motions approved on roll calls).

Why this matters: The votes formalize the city’s next steps on multiple properties where conditions and reports of vagrancy or fire damage pose safety and neighborhood concerns. Resolutions authorize the city to pursue abatement and legal action where owners do not remediate. Several owners and brokers told the council they intend to rehab or sell properties; the council signaled willingness to allow permitting and rehabilitation where progress is demonstrable.

What to expect: Neighborhood Services will continue to accept permit applications; the council directed staff to monitor permit pulls and inspections and to bring updates to the council for properties with pending actions.