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Hurst City orders owners of two vacant homes to repair or demolish by June 13
Summary
After public hearings, the Hurst City Council ordered owners of 916 Zelda Drive and 1016 Mountain Terrace to repair or demolish the properties by June 13, 2025, and warned of civil penalties up to $1,000 per day for noncompliance.
HURST, Texas — The Hurst City Council on Tuesday adopted orders requiring the owners of two long-vacant houses — 916 Zelda Drive and 1016 Mountain Terrace — to either complete repairs or demolish the structures by June 13, 2025, or face possible civil penalties.
City building official Tanya Wilson told the council staff had declared both properties public nuisances after inspections found conditions that “do not comply with minimum standards as dictated by the city ordinance or the International Property Maintenance Code.” Wilson said the city had boarded and secured the properties repeatedly and had placed liens for maintenance costs.
The council opened public hearings on each property. At 916 Zelda Drive, the owner, Monica Travis, spoke to the council, saying she had hired a new contractor and hoped to begin rehabilitation soon. “They are very positive that they can come in, help me, and rehab it,” Travis said. She gave a Roanoke address for contact and told the council she is a realtor attempting to repair the house.
Staff described structural failures at 916 Zelda Drive including broken rafters and joists, failing foundation elements, extensive rot and holes through walls and ceilings, and electrical deterioration. Wilson said the city has spent more than $2,100 maintaining that property and had boarded it to deter break-ins and squatters.
At 1016 Mountain Terrace, a neighbor and family representative, Jay Brumbaugh, addressed the council and raised concerns about due process, liens and alleged actions by city staff. City code manager Charles Harness and building staff summarized a multi-year timeline of inspections and interventions dating back to at least 2020, including calls to Adult Protective Services, removal of a junk vehicle, efforts to restore some water service, and repeated notes of unsanitary interior conditions and an inoperative stagnant pool.
City legal staff presented a proposed order for each property that would: adopt staff findings; require the owner to complete repair or demolition no later than June 13, 2025; put the owner on notice that failure to comply could result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day; and require the owner to appear at the June 24, 2025, city council meeting for a status report.
A council member moved the proposed order for 916 Zelda Drive and another moved the order for 1016 Mountain Terrace; both motions passed after the votes were called.
The orders leave open the two compliance paths — full repair to meet the city’s minimum standards or demolition and removal — and attach a clear timetable and enforcement mechanism. The council’s action follows staff documentation of repeated inspections, boarding and maintenance, and in some instances third-party involvement such as Adult Protective Services.
The council did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript for either vote; the motions were approved after the council called for the ayes and heard no opposition.
The council’s written orders and staff reports list the legal bases for action as the city’s ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code; the hearings also referenced procedures under the Texas Local Government Code for notice and hearing requirements.
The council directed staff to follow up on the June 24 status reports and to pursue penalties or further measures if the owners do not meet the June 13 deadline.
