La Porte council extends hearings, orders condemnations and removes one building after multiple public hearings

The La Porte City Council heard staff reports and public comment on a series of properties referred by the Dangerous Building Board and then took multiple actions including continuances, condemnations and removals.

For 122 South 16th Street the council granted a 90‑day continuance after staff said the executor had opened an eviction process and demolition was expected after the squatter had been legally evicted. For 201 Edgewood Street the council approved a 150‑day postponement after the owner reported plans to vacate by year end and a prospective buyer said demolition was expected in January.

The council extended compliance deadlines for other properties by 60–150 days as owners or contractors described repair plans and schedules. Where property owners confirmed demolition permits or remediation (for example, a revitalization plan for the old Kroger at 301 W. Fairmont Parkway), the council voted to remove the building from the dangerous buildings list.

In other cases, where staff and council found no contact from owners or no remediation underway, the council moved forward with condemnation ordinances. For example, the council adopted an ordinance ordering demolition at 3217 Clarksville Street and established removal timelines in the ordinance.

Motions were typically passed by voice vote after public hearings; when owners presented timelines and permits, council members generally favored extensions to allow remediation where feasible. Council members explicitly discussed maintaining property upkeep during extensions and the role of tax liens in permitting.