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Council gives 558 Madison owner 60 days to secure property and begin permits, requires fees
Summary
After staff reported a gutted interior and exterior damage at 558 Madison, council amended the hearing‑officer order to require the owner to secure the building (15 days), become current on fees (60 days) and pull permits/start work within 60 days; the owner said a sale and contractor availability will help complete repairs.
YPSILANTI — The Ypsilanti City Council amended and approved the hearing‑officer order for 558 Madison Street on Tuesday, setting short deadlines for securing the property and requiring the owner to bring fees and permits current.
City staff described the property as gutted since a 2022 stop‑work order, with missing soffit and fascia that expose the structure to rain and animal entry and with visible rot in exterior walls. Staff said work had been started without permits and then stopped; the house lacks plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems and was boarded in multiple places.
The owner, Linwood Powell (appearing by Zoom), said he signed certified notices and has a contractor on standby. Powell said he acquired the property in 2022 and is working to sell another property to finance repairs. He told council he expects to be able to start electrical and plumbing work in a month once the contractor returns.
Council members discussed timelines, the administrative fees associated with dangerous‑buildings status (staff described a $300 monthly inspection fee plus a $300 monthly escrow fee), and whether permitting and repairs can be started before sale completion. Council amended the hearing‑officer order to require that the building be secured within 15 days, that the owner bring fees current within 60 days, and that permits be pulled and work started within 60 days; the amendment passed on a roll‑call vote.
Why it matters: The property owner told council a sale and external contractor will make repairs feasible, but staff emphasized the structure is exposed to the elements and that addressing unsecured openings is a high priority for liability and neighborhood safety.
What happens next: The owner must secure the building and become current on fees; the city will monitor compliance and may pursue further enforcement or demolition if deadlines are not met.
