Del City orders removal of dilapidated home at 3921 Pearl Way; owners given June 17 start, July 31 completion deadlines

Del City City Council voted May 5 to find the residential structure at 3921 Pearl Way dilapidated and set deadlines requiring the property owner to begin work by June 17 and complete it by July 31, 2025. The council authorized the city clerk to file a notice of dilapidation and lien against the property and directed the city manager to remove the structure if the owner fails to meet those dates.

The decision followed a public hearing during which city staff told the council the property’s last permit expired in July 2024 and that “the work that has been done has been without a permit,” according to code enforcement staff identified in the record as Andrew. Andrew told the council there were 40 code cases associated with the address and that the current owners bought the property in 2023.

The finding matters because council members said the house has been a neighborhood eyesore for an extended period and the city has statutory authority to require remediation. The council framed the deadlines as a final opportunity for the owner to bring the property into compliance before the city proceeds with removal and places costs as a lien on the property.

At the hearing, a contractor who identified himself as Ram Salvador Gonzalez told the council he had spoken by phone with city staff and believed permits had been extended; he asked for time to finish work. Gonzalez said he had been “extending them since last year” by phone and that staff had told him he was up to date. City staff responded that the city’s policy permits a single extension but that no record exists of a valid, current permit for the project and that the last valid permit the city shows was from January 2024.

Council members and staff discussed the procedural steps available to the owner, including the right to file an appeal and the role of the Board of Adjustments for zoning-related changes such as a garage conversion. City staff said appeals impose a statutory stay (30 business days) and that the owner may also separately apply for residential remodel permits and inspections to show “substantial improvement.” Council members urged the owner and contractor to file complete permit applications and plans immediately so the city can consider any timely appeals or evidence of progress.

The motion to find the structure detrimental and set the June 17 and July 31 deadlines passed with four ayes and one abstention: Councilman Tatum, Councilman Dean, Councilwoman Finch and Mayor Floyd A. Eason voted aye; Councilwoman Brown recorded an abstention. The council noted that if the owner demonstrates substantial, timely compliance the council can revisit enforcement actions.

The order also directs the city clerk to file a notice of dilapidation and lien if the work is not completed by the dates set by the council. City staff told the council that work performed without proper permits may be subject to additional penalties, including triple fees for unpermitted work if later permitted.

A city staff member and the property’s contractor indicated they would meet after the meeting to review the permit and appeal process.

Council action

- Decision: Find 3921 Pearl Way dilapidated; require commencement by 2025-06-17 and completion by 2025-07-31; authorize filing notice of dilapidation and lien; direct city manager to remove structure if deadlines are not met. - Vote: Aye — Councilman Tatum, Councilman Dean, Councilwoman Finch, Mayor Floyd A. Eason; Abstain — Councilwoman Brown. Motion carried.

What’s next

City staff advised the owner to submit full permit applications, plans and contractor licensing information immediately. The owner may file an appeal; if an appeal is filed, state law provides a statutory review period during which some city action is stayed. If the owner does not meet the deadlines or fails to obtain permits and inspections demonstrating substantial progress, the city may proceed with removal and recover costs via lien.