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Commission discusses Schofield building 'unfit' determination and possible letter to Building & Fire Code Commission
Summary
Following an Oct. 30 Building & Fire Code meeting, commissioners discussed whether to send a commission-level letter concerning the Schofield building; city staff and the city attorney explained that the owner requested an 'unfit' determination under municipal code, additional applicant information is required, and the Building & Fire Code Commission will reconvene after materials are submitted.
Commissioners raised concerns about the forthcoming process for the Schofield building after a public meeting Oct. 30 and discussed whether the Historic Preservation Commission should send a unified letter to the Building and Fire Code Commission. Chair Julie Vaughn asked whether the commission could draft a letter and, if appropriate, vote on it at a future public meeting.
City development-review manager Jason Norts explained the procedural distinction: the owner’s petition is a request for a determination of ‘unfit’ under the municipal unfit-building process rather than a straight demolition permit. "Because the building owner made an unfit request of the building official, it tracks a completely different course than it would if it were going before you as a typical demolition in the heritage overlay," Jason said. He and staff said the Building & Fire Code Commission continued the matter to request additional financial and structural information from the applicant and will reconvene after that information is provided.
City attorney Tricia advised that the commission may draft a letter outside of a public meeting so long as the drafting committee does not constitute a quorum; any final letter must be discussed in public and voted on by the commission. Commissioners agreed to draft a proposed letter and discuss and vote on it at a future meeting (anticipated Dec. 4), while Jason and staff said they will provide the memo that explains the demolition/unfit process for the commission’s review.
Why it matters: the determination of 'unfit' can lead to different outcomes (repair, demolition, or other remedies) and may set a precedent for how unreinforced masonry and older downtown buildings are handled. Commissioners asked staff to collect the Oct. 30 meeting audio and minutes and to provide the city memo explaining the process ahead of the December meeting.
Next steps: staff to provide the Oct. 30 audio/minutes and the city memo; a small drafting group may prepare a letter for formal consideration and vote by the full commission in public at a future meeting.
