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Anderson City Board of Public Safety affirms emergency demolitions for multiple derelict homes
Summary
The Anderson City Board of Public Safety on Feb. 9 affirmed emergency demolitions for several derelict properties — including 2708 Walton, 2407 Lafayette, 131 East Oak and 1017 Chestnut — citing safety risks and the limits of local permits under state law.
The Anderson City Board of Public Safety voted on Feb. 9 to affirm emergency demolition orders for several derelict properties after city staff said the structures posed public-safety hazards and owners had not complied with required repairs or permits. The board moved to remove or affirm demolition at 2708 Walton, 2407 Lafayette, 131 East Oak and 1017 Chestnut.
City staff told the board the owner of 2708 Walton has signed paperwork to transfer the property to the city and that the family had tried but could not afford to repair the structure. "They really didn't wanna save the property," the building commissioner said, adding the family "only did it because there's no choice at this point." Laura Bodkin, who identified herself as related to the owner, said the family obtained multiple quotes but could not make demolition feasible. "I do appreciate you guys giving us time to try to save it," she told the board.
Michael Mitchell, senior zoning administrator, summarized the city's reading of state law and the local ordinance on enforcement timelines. "Once we've given an order ... they have 30 days to substantially do what they were supposed to do," Mitchell said, adding that the city can allow up to 60 days in some cases but need not return to the board to proceed with demolition if the owner fails to act. The building commissioner reiterated that, once condemned, properties go on a 30-day clock for owners to permit the work, demolish the structure or return to the board.
Board members placed emergency-demolition motions on the table for 2407 Lafayette and several other addresses after staff presented photos and said contractors had not obtained required permits. Staff also said it plans to seek revocation of permits in some long-standing cases (staff cited 303 Jackson as an example) and will bring further items back to the board for affirmation. For the city-owned 1017 Chestnut, staff requested, and the board approved, affirmation so the city can proceed with demolition.
The board did not provide specific roll-call tallies in the record for each item beyond members speaking in favor during the meeting and the chair declaring motions passed where noted. Staff emphasized the distinction between state and local rules, saying state ordinance can take precedence but that the city will seek to operate within its own ordinance when possible.
After the demolition agenda, staff introduced Raquel, a safety-board researcher who assists with environmental and engineering matters, and the meeting proceeded to other items.
The board's actions authorize staff to pursue demolition per the affirmed orders and to follow the 30–60 day compliance window described by the zoning administrator. Further confirmations, permit revocations and any contractor revocations will be brought back to the board as needed.
