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Levelland council issues demolition order for one property, gives owners time to fix others
Summary
After a public hearing on multiple substandard structures, the city moved to demolish a burned mobile home at 1821 Houston, tabled action on 1802 Ninth until Oct. 21, and gave 60-day remediation agreements to owners of 528 West Jefferson and 305 Avenue F before city demolition would proceed.
The Levelland City Council issued a demolition order for the mobile home at 1821 Houston Street and directed city staff to pursue remediation agreements for three other substandard properties after a public hearing and testimony from code enforcement staff.
A city code-enforcement official summarized inspection findings for multiple properties, citing violations of the International Property Maintenance Code and city code and noting that owners and persons of interest were notified but corrective action had not occurred. The housing standards commission recommended demolition for several properties.
At the public hearing, Modesto Chavez identified himself as someone who previously lived at 1821 Houston and asked the council for an opportunity to purchase and repair the property rather than see it demolished. Chavez said he has been in contact with the record owner and offered to make repairs; staff cautioned Chavez that purchase negotiations would need to be completed for the city to allow private work and that, without ownership transfer or remediation, the structure is likely to be demolished.
Gary Lyon, owner of 528 West Jefferson, said a tornado took the roof off his mobile home and he intends to remove the unit; he requested 60 to 90 days to complete demolition and lot sale. Isabel Hinojosa, owner of 305 Avenue F (reported by staff), asked for the maximum 90 days to demolish the structure herself.
Council members voted to issue a demolition order for 1821 Houston, table action on 1802 Ninth until an October meeting and to direct staff to negotiate 60-day remediation agreements with the owners of 528 West Jefferson and 305 Avenue F; the agreements specify that if remediation is not completed within the agreed time the city will proceed with demolition. Council approved those motions on separate voice votes.
Council and staff discussed using a 60-day agreement approach that allows the city to move forward if owners fail to meet clearly defined deadlines, rather than repeatedly restarting the notice process. Staff said this agreement approach has been used in other cities and helps balance owner opportunity with public-safety concerns.
