Clute Board of Adjustments postpones condemnation decision for dilapidated trailer on North Dixie Drive

The Board of Adjustments of the City of Clute postponed a public-hearing decision on whether to declare a deteriorated mobile home on North Dixie Drive a dangerous building and to order repair or demolition.

Building official Hayslip told the board that photographs he took show openings in exterior walls, tarping over parts of the structure and a sagging foundation, and that the trailer appeared to be “almost on the ground.” He said the conditions meet the city’s code definitions of substandard and potentially dangerous and recommended that the structure be repaired or demolished.

Property owner Yvonne Lindley spoke through her son, introduced in the record as Joshua Ramirez, and acknowledged the structure’s disrepair but disputed some details. Ramirez said the unit is used for storage and is not occupied, that prior repair attempts were halted after inspectors intervened, and that much of the damage followed a recent hurricane. “We are in agreeance that the property is in disrepair,” Ramirez said, while asking what options the family would have if the board ordered demolition.

Board members reviewed the applicable local rules, citing the city’s code (noted in the record as section 22-503) and the city’s adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code (referenced in the notice as section 22-501). The board explained the usual remedy in these cases: an order requiring repair or demolition within 30 days, after which the city may proceed and place a lien for costs. Staff also described a “voluntary demolition” agreement that owners can sign to set an alternative schedule.

Owners requested more time, citing limited ability to manage repairs because several household members are seniors and one is a disabled veteran. City staff agreed to meet with the owners promptly to clarify what the C1 zoning on the lot permits, to discuss setbacks and platting requirements, and to perform an internal inspection if the owners pursue repairs. The parties discussed whether a replacement unit could be placed on the lot and noted that removing a grandfathered unit could affect future development rights.

A motion to continue the hearing so owners and staff could confer and gather information was made in the meeting record (mover identified as Councilman Aguilar and second as Councilman Chris). The board voted in favor and the clerk closed the public hearing; the item is tabled pending the owners’ meeting with the building official and clarification of zoning and a repair/demolition plan.

Next steps noted in the hearing: staff will meet with the property owners within days to determine zoning constraints and inspection needs, and the board will revisit the matter at a subsequent legally posted meeting once owners present a plan or request a voluntary demolition agreement.