El Paso commission gives owner 90 days to begin rehabbing fire-damaged house at 8722 Gateway Blvd. N.

The Building and Standards Commission of the City of El Paso on March 20 voted to modify staff recommendations and give the owner of 8722 Gateway Boulevard North 90 days to begin rehabilitating a fire-damaged house, after staff had recommended demolition.

The commission’s action followed a presentation by Olia Martinez, a property maintenance and housing inspector, who said the main structure — built “on or about the year 1950” and about 752 square feet — suffered substantial fire damage, roof structural failure and was open to unwanted entry. Martinez recommended the structure be declared substandard, the certificate of occupancy revoked, and the structure demolished within 30 days if not brought into compliance.

The commission instead approved a motion to accept staff recommendations as modified so that the structure must be rehabilitated within 90 days; if the owner does not begin rehabilitation or submit permits within that period, the demolition order will stand.

Why it matters: the owner, identified in the record as John Henry Schmidt, said he is a low-income veteran and asked the commission for time and assistance to retain the property. Staff warned liens and unpaid taxes may complicate any rehabilitation or sale, and the city can place a lien or perform demolition work and charge the property if the owner does not comply.

Martinez told commissioners the department’s investigation began Nov. 19, 2024, and the property had 14 police-code cases, four property maintenance and zoning cases, and one fire case since 2011. Martinez said a certified notice of violation was mailed Dec. 5, 2024, and hearing notices were mailed March 7, 2025. She said the city boarded and secured the property on Feb. 15, 2024.

Martinez presented department findings that “the structure is sub standard and unfit for habitation or use and a hazard to the public health, safety, and welfare,” and recommended demolition if the owner did not remedy the conditions.

In public comment, Schmidt said he fell ill from black mold, left the house in the care of others and later discovered it had been burned and looted. “I don't know what happened to the property. I got sick from some black mold that was in the house,” Schmidt said. He described difficulty obtaining help from the VA and social services and said he wanted to rehabilitate or sell the parcel to resolve his situation.

Staff clarified financial and lien details for the commission. City staff said property taxes of $7,119.24 were owed as of July 15, 2024, and that a lien for $3,920 for boarding and securing the property had been placed on May 7, 2024. Staff advised that those liens and back taxes could complicate obtaining funding or completing a sale.

Nathan Walsh, chief building inspector, said he had been involved with the property for “probably a little over 3 years, 3 to 5 years, roughly,” and that it had remained largely unchanged during that period.

Commissioners noted their statutory authority allows the commission to grant up to 90 days for rehabilitation. One commissioner moved to accept staff recommendations as modified (rehabilitation allowed within 90 days; if not rehabilitated or permits not submitted, demolition order stands). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff told Schmidt they would record his contact information, connect him with the city’s community development office and the city’s veterans affairs coordinator to explore possible assistance, and clarified that if the city performs demolition or cleanup the city may place a lien for costs.

The commission’s order requires the owner or responsible party to obtain permits and begin rehabilitation work within 90 days; it directed that the structure remain secured and the premises be cleaned of weeds, trash and debris within 30 days. If the owner fails to comply, city staff may move forward with demolition and recover costs by lien.

The commission’s decision preserves a window for the owner to pursue rehabilitation or sale while documenting the city’s option to seek demolition and cost recovery if deadlines are not met.