Abatement Appeals Board delays order for Central Avenue owner after housing office intervention

The Abatement Appeals Board voted unanimously to hold the order of abatement for Case No. 6791921 (Central Avenue) in abeyance to the board’s January 21 meeting to allow the owner to continue a remediation process with the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The motion was introduced by Commissioner Walker and carried without opposition.

Chief Housing Inspector Rosemarie Boske told the board she had previously reported the owner was not cooperating, but that statement was incorrect: the owner had filed an application with the Mayor’s Office of Housing before the October meeting, and staff has since completed a site inspection and a risk assessment. “That information was indeed, incorrect. We had a miscommunication there… I am recommending that she be given a minimum of another 60 days,” Boske said.

A speaker identified by staff as Ms. Loeb submitted a letter from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and described ongoing efforts to comply. She told the board she preferred her name redacted from the public record but said she had been working with the department since the September hearing.

Commissioners discussed timing for repairs and inspections. Commissioner Walker said the additional time should allow the owner to start the lead-abatement work, obtain permits and schedule contractors. The board directed staff to return with a status report at the January 21 meeting to determine whether the abatement order should be enforced, modified, or recorded.

The motion specified the continuance and the expectation that the owner cooperate with the Mayor’s Office of Housing; the board voted unanimously in favor.