Commission schedules condemnation hearings for two dilapidated properties

The Dickinson City Commission on Tuesday set hearings to consider demolition of two properties the city’s code enforcement staff say are unfit for occupancy.

Code Enforcement Officer Tiffany Stewart asked the commission to set a hearing date for 219 Fifth Street East and 22 South Tenth Avenue West, both of which staff described as having no potable water, interior and exterior dilapidation, and other code violations. Stewart said the 219 Fifth Street East property was declared unfit for human occupancy and a dangerous building in March 2024 and has had no potable water since 2018. The 22 South Tenth Avenue West property was labeled dangerous in 2021 and has been abandoned for more than six months, Stewart said.

City attorney Wanko advised the commission to set two separate hearing dates because the owner of 219 Fifth Street East has been difficult to locate and the city needs to exhaust due-diligence notifications. Commissioners discussed available dates; the group settled on May 8 (morning start at 9 a.m.) for one hearing and proposed the week of June 16 for the second to accommodate staff schedules.

Why it matters: If the commission finds the structures are dangerous and orders demolition, the city can require removal to protect public safety and later assess costs to the property owner as allowed by city code. Stewart recommended demolition based on lack of utilities, prolonged abandonment, inoperable vehicles on site and structural dilapidation.

Next steps: Staff will publish hearing notices and conduct required notification steps; the record shows the commission prioritizing due diligence for locating property owners before proceeding.