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Commission orders demolition, leaves six-figure penalty in place for long-vacant Lee Hill property
Summary
After finding the structure at 7913 Lee Hill Drive unsafe and unmaintained since a 2016 repair order, the Building and Standards Commission issued a new demolition order and left an accrued civil penalty of $185,820 in place.
The City of Austin Building and Standards Commission on Feb. 20 issued a demolition order for the long-vacant residential property at 7913 Lee Hill Drive and left in place the accrued civil penalty of $185,820 from a 2016 repair order.
Investigator Farrah Presley presented the returning case, noting the property has been vacant since the 2016 order and that no repairs or permits had been completed. Presley described extensive deterioration: siding and structural supports decayed, an addition collapsed, holes in the roof and missing window glass allowing weather into the interior. Photos in the staff packet show severe interior and exterior decay and a collapsed addition.
Staff asked the commission to issue a new order superseding the 2016 repair order (TRV2016085192), keep the accrued penalty in place but stop interest accrual going forward, and require demolition within 45 days of the order being mailed. The proposed order would also authorize the code official to proceed with demolition on the 46th day if the owner does not comply and to assess and record expenses as liens.
No one appeared to represent the property today and staff said attempts to contact the owner, listed as Glenn Thompson (owner since 1994), were unsuccessful. Commissioner Tomlovich moved to adopt staff’s findings and the recommendation in full; the motion passed unanimously: Commissioner Tomlovich (aye), Commissioner Lockhart (aye), Commissioner Ostalugo (aye), Commissioner Francis (aye), Commissioner Selig (aye), Vice Chair Campbell (aye) and Chair Timothy Stowstad (aye).
The commission’s order requires the owner to obtain and finalize all necessary permits, demolish the residential structure and any accessory structures, remove debris leaving the lot clean and raked, and request Development Services inspections to verify compliance within 45 days. If compliance is not achieved, the code official is authorized to proceed with demolition and to recover expenses via lien and other available remedies; interest will accrue at 10% per year on assessed amounts from the date of assessment.
Staff said the property appears secured on site with fencing but is severely deteriorated and was not maintained; because the owner was not present the commission adopted the recommendation without amendment. The order will be mailed to the recorded owner and staff will pursue the enforcement steps outlined in the order if the owner does not respond.
