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Hollidaysburg council orders remediation plan after hearing on 425 Main Street
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Summary
Following a show-cause hearing under borough code, council directed borough staff to create a remediation plan for 425 Main Street after staff reported the property — owned by a deceased individual with no heirs — presented multiple safety and structural hazards.
Hollidaysburg Borough Council held a show-cause hearing under chapter 10, part 5 of the borough code to consider whether 425 Main Street is a dangerous structure and then voted to authorize borough staff to prepare a remediation plan.
Attorney Marcia opened the hearing and said the property’s last known owner died without heirs; publication of the hearing notice in the Altoona Mirror was placed on Dec. 23 and the proof of publication will be entered into the file when available. Borough staff member Andrew presented exhibits including the deed and inspection report and said the property belonged to John W. Oswald (deceased) and that the inspection (Dec. 2) documented numerous code violations.
Andrew told council the primary house and two accessory structures showed significant deterioration: inoperable vehicles and debris in the yard, extensive trash and evidence of unclean conditions inside the primary structure including human feces, broken windows and doors, second-floor roof leaks causing structural damage, an unsecured shed with a leaking roof and a rear barn with missing second-floor joists and bulging walls creating a collapse risk. "We did find that there are concerns of structural damage on all 3 structures," Andrew said.
Because no owner or opposing party appeared, council was able to act. Councilmember Bill (Speaker 11) moved that the borough prepare a remediation plan; the motion was seconded, put to voice vote and agreed. Attorney Marcia and staff noted additional exhibits (proofs of publication) will be entered into the borough’s file as they become available.
Why it matters: The council’s action allows the borough to proceed with planning to secure, repair or remove structures that pose a risk to public safety; because the owner is deceased with no heirs, the borough will proceed under the borough code’s procedures for dangerous structures.
Next steps: Borough staff will prepare a remediation plan and return to council with options, costs and any legal steps required to remediate or abate the hazards identified in the inspection report.
