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El Paso commission gives property owner 90 days to begin rehabilitation of fire‑damaged Bowen Road house
Summary
The Building and Standards Commission granted the owner of 8033 Bowen Road 90 days to begin permitting and rehabilitation after inspectors found fire damage, an open roof and combustible debris; the commission said demolition would follow if permits are not submitted within that period.
The Building and Standards Commission of the City of El Paso voted April 17 to give the owner of 8033 Bowen Road 90 days to start rehabilitation and obtain permits after inspectors described the single‑family dwelling as fire‑damaged, open to the elements and filled with combustible debris.
City code enforcement staff told the commission the main structure — built in the 1950s and constructed with adobe brick and a wood frame — has substantial fire damage, a deteriorated roof open to the elements, cracked exterior walls that admit light, and interior trash and debris that make the building vulnerable to unwanted entry. The department recommended the certificate of occupancy be revoked and that rehabilitation commence within 90 days; if permits and work are not started in that period, staff recommended demolition.
The recommendation matters because, as the department noted at the hearing, state law limits the commission to granting a maximum of 90 days to commence rehabilitation; the municipal code provides the authority to revoke certificates of occupancy and order rehabilitation or demolition for structures found unfit for habitation.
Ray Horn, who identified himself at the hearing as the property's owner, said he acquired the house through foreclosure late last year and that squatters had occupied it prior to and after a fire. Horn said he had secured the property after the fire and contracted Triple S Construction to perform the work. "I'm going to rehab that property," Horn told the commission, adding that he aimed to complete the project in about 150 days once permitting and funding were in place.
Commissioners discussed the timing and permitting process. A city official explained that submitting permits and entering review should start the clock on the rehabilitation period, and that building permits typically allow 180 days for construction; combined with the 90‑day window to commence work, staff said the total review and construction timeline could stretch to about nine months in normal circumstances.
A motion to grant the owner 90 days, as allowed under state law and city recommendations, passed on a voice vote. The commission and staff emphasized the owner must obtain required permits and comply with all permitting conditions; the department said the structure must be secured and the premises cleared of trash and debris while rehabilitation proceeds. If the owner does not start rehabilitation and submit permits within 90 days, the department recommended the city demolish the main and accessory structures and place a lien on the property for demolition costs.
The commission moved on to the next case after approving the recommendation.
