Grand Prairie board orders repairs, deadlines for four dangerous properties; one case tabled to May

The Grand Prairie Building Advisory and Appeals Board on an evening meeting voted 7-0 to adopt staff recommendations and set compliance deadlines for three properties deemed dangerous or substandard, granted a 90-day extension on a fourth property that is under contract, and tabled an initial hearing on a fifth property to the board's May meeting.

Board action focused on immediate safety and property-securement measures for vacant houses that staff said have structural damage, unauthorized access and code violations. The board required owners or interested parties to present plans and meet interim deadlines so the city and lienholders can monitor compliance and, if necessary, pursue demolition or lien remedies.

Staff said the properties present public-safety and nuisance risks because of holes in roofs, collapsed interior ceilings, broken windows and evidence of unauthorized entry. "The structure is a dangerous structure as that term is defined in Grand Prairie code of ordinances," a code-enforcement staff member told the board when presenting the cases, noting the city may board up, repair, remove or demolish structures and may assess civil penalties or place liens on properties that remain in violation.

At 1605 Acosta Street, owner Jill Malone told the board she has applied to Grand Prairie Neighborhood Services and is pursuing financing and a contractor. "I want the house to be repaired," Malone said. Staff described the residence as vacant, vandalized and showing daylight through holes in the roof and other conditions indicating a loss of structural strength. The board voted 7-0 to adopt staff findings with modifications: the owner must secure the property and remove exterior nuisances within 30 days, maintain the lawn and exterior, and appear at the board's May 5 meeting with a contractor-provided 30/60/90/120-day plan to bring the structure toward compliance. The board recorded the motion to adopt staff findings with those modifications and carried it unanimously.

At 4850 Autumn Hill, staff reported a vacant two-story house in an established neighborhood with a roof hole, interior mold, repeated past code cases and nearly $9,000 in unpaid fees. Police and neighbors have reported unauthorized individuals and juveniles entering the site. The board voted 7-0 to adopt staff-recommended findings and orders requiring the owner to repair, remove or demolish the structure in accordance with law within 30 days, keep the structure secured from entry and note that the city may assess civil penalties of $1,000 per day and place liens for unpaid costs.

On 1215 East Main Street, the board approved a staff-recommended extension to allow the owner time to complete zoning and replatting steps and to sell a portion of the property that includes a leased cell-tower parcel. Staff told the board the owner has a contract and is pursuing replat and zoning variances; the board granted a 90-day extension and required proof of replat and sale at a July 7 hearing and that any new owner appear with plans and a timeline to bring the property into compliance. The motion passed 7-0.

An earlier hearing on an alleged dangerous structure at 1622 Ruy Street was tabled to the May meeting at the city's request so staff can ensure proper notice to the property owner; the motion to table carried 7-0.

Votes at a glance

- 1622 Ruy Street: motion to table the hearing to the May meeting at city request — outcome: tabled (vote 7-0). Evidence in the record shows the city requested additional notice to the owner before proceeding.

- 1605 Acosta Street: motion to adopt staff recommended findings and orders with modifications requiring securing the property and exterior cleanup within 30 days, and that the owner appear May 5 with a contractor 30/60/90/120-day plan — outcome: approved (vote 7-0).

- 4850 Autumn Hill: motion to adopt staff recommended findings and orders requiring repair, removal or demolition within 30 days, property secured from entry, and noting the city's authority to assess civil penalties and liens — outcome: approved (vote 7-0).

- 1215 East Main Street: motion to adopt staff recommended orders granting a 90-day extension for replat/sale processes and requiring proof at the July 7 meeting and new owner appearance with plans — outcome: approved (vote 7-0).

What the orders mean

Under the adopted orders and as explained by staff, the city may undertake repairs or demolition and bill the owner if an owner fails to comply; unpaid costs can result in liens and interest at 10% per annum. Staff also noted that civil penalties can reach $1,000 per day for continuing violations unless a structure qualifies for homestead protection under the Texas Constitution, which would limit some remedies.

Next steps and deadlines

- Owners or lienholders for properties at 1605 Acosta and 4850 Autumn Hill must secure buildings and address specified exterior nuisances within 30 days, per the board's orders. - The owner of 1605 Acosta must appear before the board on May 5 with a contractor plan that details actions for the next 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. - The owner of 1215 East Main must present proof of replat and sale by the July 7 meeting; a new owner must appear with plans and timeline to bring the property into compliance.

The board recorded each vote as unanimous (7-0) on the actions taken. The hearing sessions included comments from property owners, a mortgage-company representative and neighbors; staff repeated citations to Grand Prairie Code of Ordinances sections related to dangerous and substandard structures and summarized legal remedies and lien procedures.

The board's next scheduled meeting referenced in the hearing record is May 5 for follow-up on the Acosta property and other continued matters.