Commission approves 30-day demolition orders for two long-vacant Pampa houses

The Pampa City Commission voted to issue 30‑day demolition orders for two substandard properties, 725 East Kingsmill and 953 Bernard, after staff described both sites as hazardous and unoccupied.

At the public hearing for 725 East Kingsmill, opened by the presiding official at 4:03 p.m., code enforcement staff (Speaker 3) described the house as unsecured and in need of condemnation and demolition, saying utilities were last present in 2015 and that the site had received minimal upkeep. Staff noted a vehicle on the property may require an additional roughly 45‑day process to remove before any demolition work begins. Commissioner (Speaker 6) moved to issue a 30‑day demolition order citing the substandard building order items; the motion was seconded (Speaker 7) and carried by voice vote after commissioners corrected the property number in the order to 725.

The commission opened a separate public hearing for 953 Bernard at 4:06 p.m. and heard from the same staff (Speaker 3) who said the lot had overgrown saplings and weeds, was an ‘‘eyesore’’ for neighbors, and had not had utilities since February 2007. The speaker also said someone had reported finding a beehive on the porch; staff said they would take precautions or hire removal services if bees remained at the time crews work. Commissioner (Speaker 5) moved for a 30‑day demolition order; Speaker 9 seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.

Both actions were taken as code enforcement items under the commission’s nuisance‑abatement procedures; commissioners did not amend the orders and no owners appeared to contest the hearings in person. The commission closed the hearings and approved the demolition orders by voice vote.

Next steps: staff indicated usual procedures include verifying removal of personal property and coordinating any necessary interactions to remove vehicles or beehives before contractor work begins.