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Council authorizes actions on two fire‑damaged North Quail Drive properties; owners given 30 days to act
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Summary
After building‑inspector reports on two houses damaged in a Nov. 15, 2025 fire, the council approved resolutions that start condemnation timelines for 3404 and 3402 North Quail Drive; owners said one intends to demolish and the other to rebuild. Staff said the city retains insurance proceeds and will solicit demolition bids if repairs are not completed within 30 days.
The Augusta City Council on March 16 approved resolutions that initiate condemnation timelines for two properties damaged in a Nov. 15, 2025 fire at 3404 and 3402 North Quail Drive.
Travis Combs, the city's building inspector, told the council the fire originated at about 2:45 a.m. on Nov. 15 and that both properties sustained extensive damage. For 3404 North Quail Drive, Combs said structural components had collapsed and a structural engineer deemed the house "uneconomical to repair;" staff recommended demolition. The staff report said the city retained approximately $46,360 in insurance proceeds for that property under the city's policy for settlements exceeding 75% of coverage. Combs said the city would provide a 30‑day period for the owner to obtain permits and begin demolition or repairs; if that does not occur, the city will solicit demolition bids and may use insurance proceeds to pay for removal.
At the public hearing, a person identifying themself as Veil Lynn Cruz said she is now the owner of the property and that she intends to pay for demolition herself and to remain in the community. Combs confirmed the 30‑day timeframe in the resolution (April 16).
For the neighboring 3402 North Quail Drive, Combs said damage was heavier on the north side but that the structural engineer concluded the house could be repaired; building permits had been issued to Klein Construction and staff expected reconstruction to proceed. Owner Jonathan Shoaff told the council he had started work and intended to rebuild. Staff said the city would release insurance proceeds for 3402 once appropriate framing and rough‑in inspections were complete if repairs proceed. If repair progress stops, staff said the condemnation timeline gives the city the ability to act in a timely way.
Council members voted to approve both resolutions. Council and staff emphasized the resolutions are intended to run timelines concurrently with owners' repair efforts — protecting the city's ability to act while permitting owners the opportunity to rebuild.
Next steps: owners have 30 days to obtain permits and show progress; if repairs are not made, staff will solicit bids for demolition and use available insurance proceeds to cover removal costs.
