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City staff detail unsafe‑building and minimum‑housing enforcement after Tropical Storm Helene; 33 storm‑damaged sites still seeking compliance
Summary
Development Services staff reviewed the city’s unsafe building and minimum housing enforcement processes and said that, of 218 storm‑damaged red‑tagged sites assessed after Tropical Storm Helene, 33 remained in the regulatory process as of mid‑November and staff are pursuing remediation and owner compliance.
Development Services compliance staff briefed the Public Safety Committee on Nov. 20 about unsafe‑building and minimum‑housing enforcement, the ordinance process for notices and hearings, and the city’s post‑Tropical Storm Helene work.
Chris O’Brien, compliance coordinator, explained that the process begins with a building‑safety inspection that may mark a property as unsafe; the compliance team then identifies ownership, issues a notice of violation, holds a hearing and seeks remedy (repair) before demolition. O’Brien said the city prefers remediation to demolition, noting that since 2007 only three buildings have proceeded to council action for demolition.
Storm response and status: O’Brien said staff initially identified 218 storm‑damaged red‑tagged buildings; through owner permits, removals and repair work, that number had dropped to 33 sites still seeking compliance (32 commercial, 1 residential) as of mid‑November. Staff said they are coordinating with community partners, federal, state and local resources, and the county tax office where properties have tax delinquencies; council members pressed staff on particular problem properties (including an unnamed Merriman building and 158 South French Broad). City Attorney Brad Branham described condemnation and eminent‑domain as available but expensive legal tools, and staff described efforts to induce owner action, board up sites, and pursue contractor options for demolition when necessary.
Budget and practical constraints: The compliance coordinator said difficulty finding contractors within budget, asbestos remediation needs and evolving storm impacts have increased demolition costs in some cases; staff said the city sometimes lacks a dedicated demolition budget and therefore prioritizes remediation and owner compliance but can escalate to condemnation or lien recovery in extreme cases.
