Northlake public sharply divided over dangerous‑buildings ordinance; council tables measure for legal review

The Northlake Town Council held a public hearing Nov. 13 on a proposed ordinance to clarify procedures for dangerous and substandard buildings and to designate the Board of Adjustment as the Building and Standards Commission.

Staff (identified in debate as Nathan) said the changes amend Article 4.04 of the Code of Ordinances and Section 3.4 of the Unified Development Code to set inspection, notice and enforcement procedures, including the ability to issue repair orders, vacate properties and assess penalties. Nathan said the ordinance is intended to clean up ambiguities in current code language and that the Board of Adjustment would provide a quasi‑judicial, public forum for contested cases.

Several residents opposed the ordinance as written, arguing it could be abused to target private rural property, barns and historically‑valued structures. Rena Hardiman described an incident involving Officer Daniel Martinez and said a later jury trial found charges against her dropped; she urged the council to stop perceived targeting and to protect property rights. "I took this as a threat," Hardiman said of an interaction she recounted, and she urged the town to stop the alleged targeting.

Other speakers, including Joel McGregor, said similar processes had been abused in other places. Council members asked for clarity on whether enforcement would be complaint‑driven (staff replied yes), how inspections would proceed and what remedies would be used. Staff noted administrative warrants are available if access to a property is denied and emphasized that the Board of Adjustment would be a later step, not the first enforcement action.

Council members expressed differing views: some favored the ordinance as a necessary tool to address unsafe, unpermitted or partially burned structures that can remain nuisances; others insisted the language needed clearer limits and protections for agricultural and rural historic uses. Several councilmembers suggested carving out special rules for residential barns or areas not open to the public, but staff noted legal constraints on discriminating by property ownership and recommended legal review.

After discussion the council voted to table the ordinance, direct staff to prepare a redline version of the 1999 text and to seek legal review in executive session before bringing the item back for action.

Next steps: staff will produce a redline version and coordinate legal questions with the town attorney; the ordinance may be revised and returned to council for action.