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Mount Vernon board orders 305 West Pleasant condemned for demolition, gives 180 days to remove structures
Summary
The Board of Property Maintenance and Appeals voted unanimously to condemn 305 West Pleasant Street and ordered the structure removed within 180 days after staff presented photos and testimony documenting years of neglect, structural collapse and rodent infestation; the owner said his family plans to rehabilitate the modular home but needs more time.
The Mount Vernon Board of Property Maintenance and Appeals voted on Dec. 4, 2025, to condemn the structure at 305 West Pleasant Street and ordered the owner to remove all structures from the property within 180 days.
Inspector Brian Marvin told the board the property first drew code-enforcement attention May 16 after he observed long grass and exterior decay. Marvin said the city issued a mow order and billed the owner; a July 11 letter gave the owner until Aug. 15 to clean up the site. Marvin said follow-up inspections in July, September and October found no sustained rehabilitation and, after a search warrant was obtained Oct. 23 and executed Oct. 24, interior photos confirmed collapsed roof sections, exposed wiring, rodent feces and a decaying animal. "It's not fit for human habitation," Marvin said, recommending condemnation.
Owner Michael Hannigan, sworn to speak truthfully, said he bought the property at auction and that family health issues delayed work. Hannigan said he plans to transfer the property to his son for rehabilitation and estimated that family crews could begin work in about a month. "We're rehabbing the whole thing," Hannigan said, adding that medical issues have limited the family's ability to complete repairs sooner. He asked the board what would prevent demolition and whether more time could be allowed.
Scott Zimmerman, speaking as a neighbor and/or enforcement representative, recounted repeated neighborhood impacts and urged demolition, saying the structure had been an eyesore for 10 to 12 years and that "there are dead animals in the house." Board members and staff emphasized that piecemeal or volunteer weekend work has not stopped long-term decay in other cases and recommended contractor-led rehabilitation if the board chose that route.
After closing testimony, an unnamed board member moved to condemn and demolish 305 West Pleasant Street; another member seconded. The board discussed the risk to future occupants, the extent of structural and health hazards and the likely cost of full remediation. The board then took a roll-call vote recorded in the meeting as: Mister Ball — yes; Mister Green — yes; Mister Christopher — yes; Mister Menzer — yes; Mister Loser — yes. The motion passed.
The board directed staff to prepare an order, to be posted on the property, that gives the owner 180 days from the order date to remove all structures from the site; if the owner fails to comply, the city may demolish the structures using available funds and place an assessment on the property's taxes to recoup costs. The board noted the owner may return with a contractor plan and requested the owner keep contact information current with staff.
The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn.
Next procedural steps: staff said it will finalize and post the condemnation order on Monday; the owner retains the option to present a contractor-backed remediation plan to the board within the 180-day period.
