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Goodland commission declares three properties unfit, gives owner time to remediate
Summary
After public hearings, the commission designated 302 West 15th, 1615 Center and 1004 Kansas as unfit structures, approving resolutions to set enforceable timelines while allowing remediation if owners communicate and complete repairs.
The Goodland City Commission on Feb. 25 declared three properties unfit and moved to set enforceable timelines intended to spur repairs or enable longer‑term abatement.
At a public hearing the commission heard from Zach, the city building/code enforcement officer, who reported that 302 West 15th had seen no owner contact and “nothing has been done to the property” and recommended a 30‑day timeline before further action. The commission approved Resolution 2025‑09 designating 302 West 15th as an unfit/unfinished structure.
The commission then opened a hearing on 1615 Center. Zach described the house as vacant for years, with broken windows, a failing basement access and an abandoned vehicle; he said the owner had reportedly died and no family contact had been made. Commissioners approved Resolution 2025‑10 to declare 1615 Center unfinished.
At the hearing for 1004 Kansas, Zach recounted a 2023 water leak that rendered the house uninhabitable and left it vacant; he said he had not been able to reach the owners. Owner Kayla Cowen spoke from the podium and acknowledged the problems, saying the tenants who had lived there caused extensive damage and that she is pursuing a court judgment to recover funds. “We have continuous insurance on the property,” Cowen said, adding that she is up to date on property taxes and would like time to repair or possibly sell rather than demolish.
City staff and the mayor emphasized that declaring a structure unfit triggers the city’s code process — including a timeline and documented violations — but also allows property owners time and a path to rehab a building and secure a new certificate of occupancy if they complete required repairs. For 1004 Kansas, the city manager recommended allowing communication and a timeline; commissioners nonetheless approved Resolution 2025‑11 while noting they expect follow‑up and a schedule of repairs.
All three resolutions passed on recorded roll calls with affirmative votes from the commissioners present.
What happens next: the building official will work with property owners to document required repairs and monitor progress on the timelines set by the commission; if owners fail to act, the city’s code process allows further enforcement steps.
