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Leavenworth Commission gives owners 90 days to make three fire‑damaged properties safe
Summary
The Leavenworth City Commission declared three fire‑damaged properties unsafe and approved a resolution giving owners 90 days from publication to make them safe or face city action; staff may pursue demolition or other measures if work is not completed.
The Leavenworth City Commission on a recorded vote approved Resolution B-2395 designating three fire‑damaged structures — 224 Miami Street, 1425 Grand Avenue and 1933 Miami Street — as unsafe and giving owners 90 days from the date of publication to make the properties safe and secure.
The resolution matters because if owners do not complete repairs or demolition within the 90‑day period the commission authorized city staff to take administrative steps, including demolition, to remove hazards without returning to the governing body for each action.
City staff opened the public hearing and summarized the status of each property: the owner of 224 Miami Street, identified in the hearing as Mr. Culberson, said he recently settled an insurance claim with State Farm and expects dumpsters on site and reconstruction to begin; he estimated about 90 days to complete repairs. The owner of 1425 Grand Avenue, Marissa Magana, told the commission she has a contractor in place and funds are being disbursed; she said the plan is a teardown and rebuild but gave no construction completion date. City staff reported that 1933 Miami Street had a permit issued the prior Friday for repairs.
The commission and the city attorney discussed the appropriate compliance period. City staff originally recommended 30 days in the written report but recommended 90 days in the meeting after speaking with owners and reviewing site conditions; the commission adopted the 90‑day timeframe and clarified that publication of the resolution begins the period. The attorney explained that if owners do not complete required work within that window staff are authorized to proceed with steps necessary to abate the danger.
Commissioners called out that timelines can vary depending on whether owners preserve foundations or pursue full demolitions and rebuilds; staff said demolition could typically be completed within 90 days but rebuilding through the normal permitting process would take longer.
The commission voted to close the public hearing and then moved to approve Resolution B-2395 as amended to reflect 90 days from publication. The motion carried and the resolution was adopted.
The action directs staff to monitor compliance, accept permit applications and, if necessary, commence administrative abatement or demolition procedures when the period elapses.
Copies of the resolution and the city’s permit status are maintained with the city clerk; owners who wish to request extensions or provide documentation are advised to work with city staff.
