East Ridge housing commission delays enforcement on several properties, orders cleanups and permit action

The East Ridge Housing Commission on May 14, 2025, voted to delay or table enforcement actions on several properties and ordered staff to pursue cleanup bids, inspections and permit compliance, while keeping a condemned unit closed to habitation.

Why it matters: The commission’s actions affect public health and safety, neighborhood blight, and city costs; several items will return to the commission in June or July with staff reports or contractor bids.

The commission opened with approval of minutes from the March 12 meeting and elected Commissioner Souder as vice chair. After routine business, the commission reviewed multiple property cases.

5916 Wentworth Avenue: Owner Mitchell Harrell, present at the meeting, said he and co-owner Elena plan to demolish the house and expected an elevation certificate that could delay rebuilding. Housing staff (Tori) told the commission the structure is in disrepair, located in a flood zone, and “it can be torn down anytime as soon as the demolition permit’s pulled and making sure that everything’s been capped and everything’s off power, etcetera.” Staff explained demolition permits must be pulled before work begins, that work must start within six months of permit issuance and be completed within a year. The commission made a motion to “pass this case for two months pending that he proceeds with the permit and the start of the demo” and set a follow-up; the motion carried unanimously (Vice Chair Souder, Commissioner Myers, Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Vallone and Chairperson Davis voted yes). The commission and staff directed the owner to pull a demolition permit as soon as he can and to provide contact information so staff can monitor progress.

3714 Sullivan Avenue: Staff reported recurring open-storage and exterior debris complaints and said a fine was pending with the AHO process. A resident (identified in the record as Brenda and Trey assisting) has begun cleanup but staff said it remains incomplete. The commission passed the matter to the June 11 meeting to give staff time to reinspect and to confirm whether AHO (the housing/administrative hearing process) has dismissed or maintained the fine; commissioners warned the next step could be soliciting bids to have the property cleaned at the owner’s expense if compliance is not achieved. The vote was unanimous.

3405 Betty Lane: Rita Bachman, representing her deceased father’s revocable trust, told the commission the unit had been rented and that tenants were evicted for unsanitary conditions. Housing staff said the unit is condemned with no power or water, animal control removed dogs, and the owner is arranging bids for deep cleaning, carpet removal and structural checks. Staff recommended allowing time for eviction set-out and professional cleaning; the commission passed the case for two months, leaving the unit condemned during that period and asking staff to report back in July. Vote: unanimous.

28 Frawley Road (Edna Cardoner Trust): Staff reported that the elderly owner, described as having mobility issues, arranged some front-yard maintenance but the backyard and other areas remained overgrown. Because the owner said she would try to arrange family assistance, the commission passed the case to the June meeting with the request that a family member or representative appear. Staff will also contact the neighbors-helping-neighbors group to seek assistance with exterior maintenance. Vote: unanimous.

1440 Millborough Circle: Staff said the owner had made limited progress and that cleanup bids were available; one local contractor previously quoted about $1,700 for exterior cleanup (excluding vehicles). The commission authorized staff to post notice and allow the owner 10 days to perform the required cleanup; if not done by May 30/June 1 the city will undertake cleanup work and assess costs as a lien against the property. Commissioners agreed to revisit the property and specifically the remaining vehicles at the June 11 meeting. Vote: unanimous.

763 Flynn Drive: The property is boarded and condemned with no utility service; staff reported uncertain ownership and limited title information. The commission directed staff to solicit bids for minimal exterior remediation (cut grass, remove remaining above-ground pool structure and adjacent decayed decking) and to return with bids on the June agenda. The commission noted any city cleanup costs would be assessed as a lien. Vote: unanimous.

15006 Carwell Lane: Housing staff reported that work ordered earlier was completed — plumbing, smoke detectors, interior and exterior hazards fixed — and requested case closure. The commission voted to close the matter (unanimous). Staff noted closure applies to the resolved complaint and that a new complaint would be opened as a separate case if issues recur.

Procedure and enforcement specifics noted at the meeting: demolition permits must be pulled before physical teardown and are subject to time limits (start within six months; completion allowed within about a year); demo permits are not renewable (a new permit and fee would be required if work lapses); the city may solicit bids and perform cleanup if owners do not comply, and the city can place the cleanup cost as a lien against the property; towing and removal of vehicles was discussed as a later enforcement step if vehicles remain after initial remediation.

What’s next: The commission scheduled follow-ups for the affected properties. Staff will post required notices, pursue bids for city cleanup where authorized, and report back to the commission on June 11 (or July for items given longer time to comply).