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East Lansing council affirms dangerous-building order for 141 Orchard, votes 4–1
Summary
Council adopted a hearing officer's June 26 order finding 141 Orchard Street a dangerous building and gave the owner 60 days to comply; the motion passed 4–1 with Councilmember Watson dissenting after a respondent objected to timeliness and jurisdiction.
The East Lansing City Council on Oct. 7 adopted a hearing officer’s dangerous-building order for 141 Orchard Street after a show-cause hearing, and the mayor signed the order to be filed. The council voted 4–1 to adopt the order, with Councilmember Watson recorded as the lone No vote.
City staff presented a packet that included prior orders, notices and photos documenting long-running code and condition issues at 141 Orchard; the hearing officer’s order dated June 26, 2025 was before council. The respondent’s attorney objected to council jurisdiction, arguing a required hearing report under section 108.4.4 of the city’s property maintenance code was filed untimely (filed Aug. 15 rather than by July 21) and preserved objections in pending federal proceedings. The respondent declined to address substantive questions during the council hearing to preserve the jurisdictional challenge.
City staff told council that the federal case is currently stayed and that the dangerous-building process predated the respondent’s filing. The mayor had prepared a proposed order adopting the hearing officer’s decision and, if adopted, providing the property owner 60 days from the meeting date to come into compliance. Councilmember Meadows moved to adopt and affirm hearing officer Lapka’s order dated June 26, 2025; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call: Altman Yes, Meadows Yes, Watson No, Mayor Pro Tem Singh Yes, Mayor Brookover Yes. The mayor signed the order contemporaneously and instructed staff to file it.
Council members asked staff and legal counsel clarifying questions about the sequence of events and appeals; staff advised that the property owner may seek review to circuit court depending on how council rules tonight. The order adopted by council is the immediate administrative step the city will take in the property-maintenance enforcement process.
