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Lawton council advances dozens of dilapidated-property abatements, tables one for 60 days
Summary
The Lawton City Council heard staff reports and approved multiple resolutions declaring properties dilapidated under Section 651 of the city code, authorizing abatement and summary remedies; one property (4006 NW Meadowbrook Drive) was tabled for 60 days while the owner works with an insurer and bank.
The Lawton City Council on July 30 heard a lengthy slate of cases under its dilapidated‑property process and approved resolutions to declare dozens of structures city nuisances and authorize abatement. Mayor Stan Booker opened the special session and staff presented property‑by‑property findings, including inactive water accounts, fire damage, missing roofs and windows, and lack of active permits.
John, a city staff member overseeing the dilapidated‑property docket, told the council that several addresses had active permits and ongoing work and that staff recommended no action for those properties. "Staff recommendation is for no action to be taken" on properties where owners have pulled permits and are actively repairing structures, John said. For properties with no permits, visible structural collapse, or repeated reports of vagrancy, staff recommended moving forward with resolutions that authorize abatement and allow the city attorney to seek district‑court remedies.
At a public hearing on 1207 Southwest G Avenue, owner Linda Sousan told the council she has engaged a demolition contractor and was arranging permits. The council voted to approve a resolution declaring that structure a dilapidated public nuisance and authorizing abatement. Similar hearings and resolutions followed for addresses across the city, with staff routinely noting posting dates (07/30/2025 in many cases) and, where applicable, inactive water-account dates dating back several years.
One address drew a different outcome: 4006 Northwest Meadowbrook Drive. John said insurance had approved demolition and the owner was working with a bank to finance a rebuild, but no demolition permits had been filed. Staff recommended tabling the matter 30–60 days to allow the owner time to secure bank approval. The council moved to table for 60 days; Mayor Stan Booker announced the new date and the motion passed on a roll call vote.
The council’s votes were recorded by roll call for each resolution. Many motions carried unanimously; a small number of items included dissenting votes or votes to table. Council members repeatedly urged owners to obtain the necessary permits and complete inspections, and staff committed to returning an updated D&D master list and supplemental data — including amounts due for prior city demolitions and a breakdown by ward — at the next meeting cycle.
What’s next: council directed staff to provide the updated D&D master list and an accounting of amounts due and suggested the list be distributed monthly after the first council meeting so members can track progress and upcoming abatement work.
