Hearing on substandard home at 709 FM 379 continued so owner can present repair plan

The Navasota City Council continued a public hearing Sept. 22 on an order to repair or demolish a substandard structure located at 709 FM 379. Code Enforcement Officer Eric Covarrubias presented inspection findings from July 14, 2025: the manufactured home (built 1987) has significant structural and termite damage, no utilities since 2018, visible wall deterioration of roughly 50% or more, and signs of rodents.

Property owner Miguel Cervantes (through a translator) said he purchased the home in its current condition in 2018 and indicated he wants to repair and occupy the home. Cervantes asked for access to utilities at the meter so he can work on repairs and requested up to a year to complete the work, though he said he might finish sooner. Council members raised practical questions about wiring, plumbing, and utility connections; Covarrubias said a building official would need to determine whether rewiring or plumbing replacement is required and that utilities could be turned on after an approved work/pipe plan is submitted.

City staff explained that under local ordinance and state law, allowing more than 90 days for repairs requires a detailed plan presented to council and periodic progress reporting. To give the owner time to prepare a plan, council moved to continue the hearing to Oct. 13 and require the owner to submit a detailed repair plan at that hearing. The council specified the continuance was to permit repair plan presentation rather than proceed immediately to demolition.

Next steps: the owner will prepare and submit a detailed repair plan and timeline for consideration at the Oct. 13 council meeting; staff will revise the order as needed and monitor compliance if more than 90 days are authorized.