Lawton City Council adds dozens of properties to dilapidated list; several owners pledge repairs
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Summary
The Lawton City Council voted to declare multiple residential properties dilapidated under section 6-5-1 of the Lawton City Code, authorizing abatement if owners do not obtain permits and complete repairs; some items were continued for additional verification and one received a "no action" recommendation.
LAWTON — The Lawton City Council on Monday moved to declare dozens of residential addresses dilapidated and authorized abatement procedures if owners fail to secure permits and bring properties into code compliance.
Mayor opened the special D and D meeting to consider two unfinished-business addresses and a long list of properties proposed for placement on the city's dilapidated-and-dangerous (DND) list under section 6-5-1 of the Lawton City Code. City staff member John summarized exterior fire and weather damage, inactive water accounts, and repeated calls about vagrants at many addresses and recommended DND placement for most properties.
In public comment, several owners or representatives told the council they are pursuing repairs or demolition. Joanna Zark, who identified herself as the owner's daughter for 805 Southwest 12th Street, said the family is transferring the home to a niece and that “the tribe is going to help my niece get everything back up to code and get everything livable once again.” Owner Matthew Lovo, speaking about 1110 Northwest Euclid Avenue, said he lives next door, has begun the paperwork and intends to remove the structure.
Leroy Hunter, speaking about 1113 Northwest Taft Avenue, described being the owner who bought the property as a fixer-upper, said trespassers broke in and set it on fire, and told the council he has struggled to get a demolition permit and received contractor bids of $25,000–$30,000. Hunter said he has tried to follow up repeatedly with utilities and contractors to obtain the signatures and permits needed to proceed.
City supervisor Charlotte told Hunter that only remodel permits were visible in the system and offered to enter a demo permit; the mayor and council agreed to close the hearing and continue that Taft Avenue item to the next DND meeting so staff and the owner can resolve permitting and utility-disconnection issues.
For most addresses, councilmembers moved and voted to declare the structures dilapidated and to authorize summary abatement and legal action in district court if owners do not comply. For 1754 Southwest 13th Street staff recommended no action, noting recent exterior repairs and an active water account; the council accepted that recommendation.
The mayor explained the DND compliance timeline at the hearing: once a property is placed on the DND list, owners typically have 30 business days (about 45 calendar days) to secure required permits and up to six months to complete the work, with potential extensions if adequate progress is shown.
Votes at a glance (selected outcomes):
- 1116 Northwest Lincoln Avenue — declared dilapidated; resolution approved. - 1754 Southwest 13th Street — staff recommended no action; council accepted no action. - 805 Southwest 12th Street — declared dilapidated; owner said tribe will assist rehabilitation. - 1110 Northwest Euclid Avenue — declared dilapidated; owner intends to demo the structure. - 1113 Northwest Taft Avenue — continued to the February 24 DND meeting to allow staff and owner to resolve permit/utility issues. - 1504 Southwest 17th Street; 1607 SW McKinley Ave; 1705 SW McKinley Ave (tabled for verification); 1803 NW Osmond Ave; 1921 SW Doctor Charles W. Whitlow Ave (continued for verification of securement); 1603 SW Georgia Ave; and multiple additional addresses were declared dilapidated and abatement authorized.
Where owners indicated they intend to demolish or rehabilitate, staff said it will work with them and remove properties from the DND list if they come into compliance. Where safety issues (leaning structures, unsecured storm-cellar entrances or repeated vagrant activity) were reported, council asked staff to verify conditions before the next meeting.
The council also confirmed that property owners were notified of the hearing in accordance with state statute and on 01/28/2026 by publication, mail and posting at the properties, per John.
The meeting ended after the council confirmed staff had reviewed all listed properties and voted to adjourn. The matters continued or tabled will return to a future DND meeting for follow-up.
