El Paso commission orders demolition of two fire-damaged structures at 3504 Waco Ave.

The Building and Standards Commission of the City of El Paso on March 20 approved staff recommendations to demolish two fire-damaged structures (identified as Structures A and B) located at 3504 Waco Avenue.

Olia Martinez, property maintenance and housing inspector, said both structures — built around 1950 — had extensive fire and structural damage and were accessible to unwanted entry. Department records show 92 police-code cases, 18 property maintenance and zoning cases, and one fire case at the parcel since July 2011. Martinez reported $7,291.58 in unpaid property taxes as of Jan. 27, 2023, and said there had been no communication with the owner.

Martinez recommended revoking certificates of occupancy for Structures A and B, ordering demolition within 30 days, securing the remaining structures and cleaning the premises of weeds, trash and debris within 30 days, and placing liens on the property for any city work performed.

Commissioners asked staff about remaining structures on the parcel and whether demolition would expose adjacent buildings; staff said one neighboring structure was in good condition and that the department’s authority at this time was to order demolition for the fire-damaged structures. Commissioners also asked whether fencing or further cleanup could be ordered; staff said fencing is not typically ordered unless there is an imminent danger of collapse and that debris removal beyond demolition material may be handled by the city’s beautification program or PD code enforcement with coordination.

There were no public speakers signed up for the item. Before the motion to adopt staff recommendations, a staff member reported legal verification that the owner of record is Jaden Sanchez.

A commissioner moved to follow staff recommendations for the 30-day demolition order; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The commission’s order requires demolition of Structures A and B within 30 days if the owner or responsible party does not bring the structures into compliance; the order allows the city to secure the structures and place liens on the property for demolition or cleanup costs.

Staff advised the commission that if additional nuisance or debris removal issues remain after demolition, code enforcement or beautification programs could be used to address them.