Council approves nuisance‑abatement appropriation for Midland Building after staff reports hazardous conditions

On Aug. 11 the Westminster City Council voted 6–0 to adopt Councilor Bill 23 on second reading, authorizing supplemental appropriation for nuisance‑abatement activities at the Midland Building, 7255 Irving Street. The vote followed a staff update describing building‑code violations and a missed owner deadline.

Lindsey Kimball, Community Services Director, provided a two‑week update saying the city had pursued dual paths: plan‑review assistance to help the owner submit compliant construction plans, and parallel legal steps to abate the public nuisance. She said a chief building official’s on‑site inspection on July 14 found four hazardous, substandard conditions and that the structure was unfit for human habitation and unsecured. A notice of violation was served July 16 and the owner had 10 days from the return of plan‑review comments to abate the unsafe conditions and obtain permits; Kimball told council those conditions were not met by the deadline.

Councilor DeMott moved to approve second reading of Council Bill 23 to authorize the city to proceed with abatement while continuing to offer assistance to the owner; a second was called and the bill passed on a 6–0 roll call. Councilors said the action balanced an effort to get the project back into compliance with the city’s willingness to abate if the owner fails to act.

Ending: The appropriation authorizes city staff to proceed with nuisance abatement as needed and continue parallel efforts to help the owner bring the property into compliance; staff will report back on abatement steps and timing.