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Irving code enforcement sets extended deadline after buyer seeks time to enforce judgment on dilapidated property
Summary
The commission accepted staff findings that a property is dilapidated but set a later repair/demolition deadline after a potential buyer told commissioners he is pursuing enforcement of a court judgment to purchase and renovate the home.
The Irving Building Standards Commission on June 2 heard staff testimony that a residential property is dilapidated, unfit for habitation and constitutes an urban nuisance, then amended enforcement dates to allow additional time for potential purchase and renovation.
Code enforcement staff told the commission the property showed conditions that can endanger life and welfare, citing accumulations of refuse and damage from fire, vandalism or natural elements in their presentation. Staff recommended inspections and ordered repairs or demolition, with an initial schedule that would have allowed city contractors to demolish the structure and assess civil penalties for missed deadlines.
Zach Coppinger, a representative of a company that holds a default judgment to purchase the property, told the commission his firm agreed to buy the house in summer 2023, that litigation followed when the seller did not comply, and that a default judgment was issued. "In summer of 20 23, my company agreed to purchase the property from mister Fairchild," Coppinger said, outlining a timeline of litigation and enforcement actions. He said his company discovered the owner had been arrested on unrelated charges and that he believed the structure could be renovated and returned to market condition.
Coppinger told the commission his team's pre-fire cost estimate for renovation was about $75,000 to $80,000 and that the project would likely take about four months once work began; he also said the scope and budget could increase if fire damage proved more extensive.
Commissioners discussed the legal and practical constraints on enforcement while litigation and title issues remain unresolved. Several commissioners recommended allowing additional time for Coppinger's team to pursue enforcement of the judgment and to complete renovation plans. The commission set new target dates to accommodate legal processes and construction: the repair/demolition completion date was extended to Nov. 18, 2025, and the item will return to the commission's agenda on Nov. 19, 2025. Commissioners said they would exercise discretion as the case returns and would not assess penalties if measurable progress is demonstrated.
What happens next: Staff will monitor code compliance and, if the property is not repaired or demolished by the new deadline and no acceptable progress is shown, the city may authorize demolition and pursue civil penalties. The commission retains discretion to extend the timeline if legal delays prevent action.
Why it matters: The commission found the property poses public-health and safety hazards. The extended schedule recognizes legal complications tied to a pending judgment and the potential buyer's enforcement efforts, balancing code enforcement objectives with the buyer's stated plan to renovate the structure.
