Board leaves 30-day remediation order in place for occupied manufactured home at Dover Road

The Building Advisory and Appeals Board on Aug. 4 voted unanimously to maintain a previously issued 30-day order for the manufactured home at 490 Dover Road, Unit 194.

Staff reported the unit, in the Shady Grove mobile home community, had numerous code violations when first inspected including damaged porches, electrical and sanitation problems and signs of unauthorized access. Inspectors said the property had been partially secured and cleared of exterior debris but remained occupied and without running water.

Carolina Talamantes, speaking as a representative of the property owners association, told the board the association has given the occupant two weeks to resolve ownership paperwork and outstanding dues so the shared water service can be restored. Talamantes said the association is prepared to pursue a lien and foreclosure and, if necessary, demolition if the occupant does not take required steps; she estimated the association's timeline for action at 30 to 60 days.

Staff and board members discussed the limits on boarding inhabited structures: staff said boarding is not a safe long-term option for occupied units because glazing, egress and fire-code requirements could be violated. Staff suggested a surrounding fence with a lockable gate as an alternative if the unit cannot be vacated.

The board recorded a motion to leave the existing order unchanged and not amend it; the motion passed 7-0. Staff said the city will continue to work with the property owners association and pursue other remedies, including securing the structure at the owner's expense, assessing civil penalties, placing liens and, where appropriate, pursuing tax-foreclosure actions.