Council declares dozens of Lawton properties dilapidated; some owners given 30–90 days to act

The Lawton City Council on Feb. 25 adopted a series of resolutions declaring multiple privately owned properties throughout the city dilapidated and authorized abatement actions, while tabling a smaller set of properties to allow owners time to secure permits or make repairs.

Council actions addressed fire-damaged buildings, long-vacant houses, repeated vandalism and reported vagrancy at many addresses. City staff presented photographs and site notes showing roof or siding damage, broken windows, exposed wiring, foundation cracks and evidence of unauthorized occupancy. The council voted on each property individually; most motions to declare properties a nuisance and to authorize abatement carried unanimously or by large majorities.

Why it matters: The declarations allow the city to pursue board-and-secure work, summary abatement or court action to fix or remove hazardous structures that city staff said pose public-safety and neighborhood-quality concerns. In some cases owners told the council they are pursuing demolition, insurance settlements or permits; the council sometimes granted short delays to accommodate those steps.

Most important actions - 415 Southwest Jefferson Avenue (Ward 7, secondary structure): Tabled to a date-certain of about 90 days to allow a citizen who said they would help the owner to begin repairs. Motion to table carried 6–1. John (staff member) presented damage including roof and foundation cracks and long-term boarding. - 1008 Southwest Roosevelt Avenue: Declared dilapidated and abatement authorized; motion carried 7–0. Staff noted a fire date of Feb. 11, 2024, vacancy and fire damage to a secondary structure. - 1217 Northwest Cache Road: Council discussed vagrancy and exposed wiring; owner/representative said he would secure the building and remove an exterior staircase. Council tabled the property for 90 days; motion carried 5–1. - 1505 Southwest Sheridan Road: Property owner had an active permit and staff recommended no action; council took no action. - 1608 and 1609 Southwest Douglas Avenue: Both properties were declared dilapidated and abatement authorized; motions carried 7–0. - 1831 Northwest Cache Road (former restaurant): Staff said the fire department deemed the interior hazardous and reported needles and vagrancy; council approved abatement, motion carried 7–0. - 2402 Southwest Lee Boulevard: Fire damage to roof and smoke staining; council voted to table for 90 days to allow the owner to proceed with a pending sale/rehab; motion carried 6–1. - 3134 Northwest Cache Road: Declared dilapidated and abatement authorized; motion carried 7–0.

Additional batch considered under a separate, large resolution (business item 2) Council opened a second, separate public-hearing block and considered another broad set of properties (addresses listed in the meeting agenda). For most of those the council found the structures dilapidated and authorized abatement; a handful were tabled to allow owners to pursue permits or demolition plans. Notable results from that block include: - 1429 Northwest 20th Street: Owner Donald P. Thorne said he intends to rehabilitate; council extended 90 days, motion carried 7–0. - 1511 Southwest Douglas Avenue: New owner Wendell Davis told the council he planned demolition; council approved declaration authorizing abatement so the owner may proceed with demolition permits, motion carried 7–0. - 4006 Northwest Meadowbrook Drive: Owner Jason Cochran said the insurance process was slow; council tabled the matter 30 days, conditioned on securing the property, motion carried 7–0. - 511 Southwest Monroe Avenue, 632 Southwest D Avenue, 706 Southwest Sixteenth Street, 1212 NW 30th Street, 1413 NW Lincoln Avenue, 1508 SW Oklahoma Avenue, 1510 NW Lincoln Avenue, 1514 NW Bell Avenue, 1601 NW Lake Avenue, 1602 SW Douglas Avenue, 1607 SW Jefferson Avenue, 1610 SW J Avenue and 2104 SW E Avenue: Council approved declarations and authorized abatement for these addresses (votes ranged from unanimous to overwhelmingly in favor; several carried 7–0 or 8–0 depending on the point in the meeting when the vote occurred).

Permits and inspections, and a denied extension - 1601 Northwest Andrews Avenue: Council reviewed a request to extend time for remodeling under the city’s section 611108(d) process. Staff reported permits had been issued but inspections were not recorded and that a year had passed with little progress. The council voted to deny an additional time extension; the property will proceed back to the city’s demolition/abatement process and be offered for bid as required by code. - 5632 Northwest Beechwood Drive: The owner, Adan Ibadah, described work already completed and materials on site. Staff recommended allowing the owner to continue the permit work; council approved continuation, motion carried 8–0.

What owners told the council Owners and representatives who spoke said many properties had pending insurance claims, active sale negotiations, or intentions to demo or rehabilitate. For example, Billy Hicks (owner of a NW Douglas property) said he had been caring for an ailing family member and planned to repaint and board windows as weather allows. Jason Cochran (4006 NW Meadowbrook) told the council, “It’s running slow with the insurance,” and asked for time to resolve the claim. Wendell Davis said he had purchased 1511 SW Douglas and planned demolition.

Process and next steps City staff said owners typically receive notices, then the council may declare a property dilapidated under Lawton City Code (cited during multiple agenda items as section 6‑51) and authorize abatement or summary abatement, and if necessary authorize the city attorney to pursue district‑court action. For some properties the council imposed time‑limited tabling (usually 30 or 90 days) to let owners pull permits, secure funding, or complete demolition plans. Where the council authorized abatement, staff said the city may board, secure, repair, or remove hazardous elements and may seek cost recovery from the owner or proceed with sale by bid if the owner does not comply.

Ending The council’s actions address a long list of properties flagged by code enforcement for fire damage, structural deterioration, and chronic vacancy. Several owners secured short delays to pursue repairs or permits; most properties were formally declared dilapidated and their abatement authorized, enabling the city to take follow‑up steps to protect neighborhoods and public safety.