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Committee approves demolition ordinance for burned house at 3213 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Summary
The committee approved an ordinance to demolish the fire-damaged dwelling at 3213 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and authorized city officials to execute necessary documents; demolition costs will become a lien on the property owner.
The City of High Point Community Development Committee voted April 8 to approve an ordinance to demolish a fire-damaged dwelling at 3213 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and authorized the appropriate city officials to execute required documents.
Katie Parrish, interim code enforcement manager, presented the minimum-housing order and the case history for the property. Parrish said the case began after a preliminary inspection and that the fire department referred the matter. "Vagrants have gotten inside the home and burned the home," Parrish said. Based on inspection, code staff determined the cost to repair the dwelling exceeded 65% of its value, which under city procedures led to an order to repair or demolish.
Parrish said the city issued a complaint, notice of hearing and an order to repair or demolish on Dec. 22, 2023, with a compliance due date of Jan. 22, 2024; as of Feb. 25, 2025, no repairs had been completed nor permits obtained. Parrish told the committee that because of the extent of the fire damage staff were unable to secure the structure following the fire.
Parrish said the property owner is currently in a nursing home and that the owner's power of attorney, identified in staff remarks as Mr. Schall, has been in contact with staff but has not moved forward with demolition, sale, or repair.
Committee members raised safety concerns because the dwelling is located adjacent to a school. Parrish confirmed that if the demolition is carried out, the cost of demolition will be placed as a lien on the property owner.
After discussion, Councilman Tim Andrew moved to approve the ordinance to demolish the dwelling and to authorize the appropriate city officials to execute necessary documents; Councilwoman Amanda Cook seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.
The action follows the city's minimum-housing procedures: inspection, notice, hearing (on Dec. 22, 2023), issuance of order to repair or demolish and a compliance period. The committee record shows no one appeared at the hearing. The committee did not direct staff to take alternative actions beyond approving the ordinance and authorizing document execution.
Next steps: staff may proceed with demolition activities and will record the demolition cost as a lien on the property, as described in staff remarks and consistent with the code enforcement presentation to the committee.
