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Council reviews two long‑running condemnation cases on Riggs and Ridge roads
Summary
City staff told the council two properties—3113 Riggs Road and 3153 Ridge Road—have been in property maintenance proceedings for years; staff recommended deadlines for permits and substantial repairs while councilmembers pressed for tighter timelines and noted high rehabilitation costs.
City staff reviewed two long‑running property maintenance and condemnation matters at the pre‑council session, urging the council to require owners to secure permits and begin major repairs.
Virgil, a city staff member on property maintenance, told the council the owner of 3113 Riggs Road has started some exterior work and has boarded windows but has not yet pulled a permit. "I would recommend to give him 90 days to get a permit pulled and get started making the proper repairs for it," Virgil said. He added the property has been in the city’s property maintenance proceedings for about five years and that past work has not been sustained.
The condition of the house drew additional detail from staff: "It's gonna need a new roof, new siding, all new windows, new electrical panel," Virgil said, adding the scope would likely require a full rewire and other repairs that are not visible from the exterior.
Councilmembers debated the appropriate deadline for starting repairs. One councilmember said a shorter deadline would be preferable and asked whether 30 days would be sufficient; another noted the long history of noncompliance and expressed skepticism that a short window would produce lasting results. A councilmember who spoke in favor of a tighter deadline said, "I'm okay with 30," while Virgil and others emphasized the likely extent of work needed.
Staff then presented 3153 Ridge Road. Virgil said the property has been in and out of property maintenance processes, that the original owner died and title updated to the widow, and that the widow has only pulled permits for minor repairs. "This is gonna be very expensive as is the other," one councilmember observed. Virgil said the building is open to the public and in rough shape, and recommended moving forward with condemnation unless the owner presents a substantial, code‑compliant plan.
Council discussion repeatedly raised construction costs as a barrier to rehabilitation. One member recounted a localized repair that exceeded $1,500 and warned that bringing older houses up to code typically multiplies costs because work requires replacement of underlying systems.
No formal vote on condemnation was recorded in the pre‑council transcript. Staff said the typical expectation for condemnation cases is that properties be brought as close to code compliance as possible, which often entails extensive interior and electrical work. Councilmembers asked that staff notify the council if owners submit detailed, realistic repair plans within the deadlines discussed.
Next steps: staff will monitor permit pullings and return to the council with any formal applications, plans or additional compliance requests.
