Committee approves demolition ordinance for fire‑damaged house at 115 Briggs Place

The City of High Point Community Development Committee on Aug. 5 approved an ordinance to demolish the dwelling at 115 Briggs Place and authorized city officials to execute necessary documents.

Code enforcement staff told the committee the house suffered fire damage and “there were several fire damage, structural issues inside the home,” and that the interior was largely gutted. The complaint notice of hearing was held July 3, 2023; the order to repair or demolish was issued July 31, 2023, with a compliance due date of Aug. 31, 2023, and the property changed hands on Jan. 21, 2025, the presenter said. The new owner has an incomplete residential construction permit, which staff said requires a contractor to be added before work can proceed.

Committee members discussed the timeline and whether the owner could still complete repairs. The code enforcement manager said the city would accept an “acknowledgment of time” form in which the owner sets deadlines and that staff will follow up. “As long as we see reasonable progress and a reasonable attempt to come in and obtain the permit and start making repairs, we would work with them,” the manager said.

After staff comments and with no public speakers on the item, a committee member moved to approve the demolition ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The meeting record does not list roll‑call vote tallies by name.

The committee’s action authorizes city staff to proceed with the demolition process; staff repeatedly said the preferred outcome is compliance and safe housing when feasible. The committee did not adopt a schedule for demolition in the meeting minutes; staff indicated they would continue to accept permit activity and monitor any progress from the owner.

Copies of the inspection photographs, the original notice and order, and permit status were presented to the committee during the discussion.