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El Paso commission orders demolition or sets deadlines for repair at three properties
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Summary
At its April 16 meeting the El Paso Building and Standards Commission accepted staff recommendations to board, secure and demolish unsafe structures at 3628 Wickham Ave. and 115 Tobin Place and granted the owner of 5713 Mesilla 90 days to obtain permits and begin repairs.
The El Paso Building and Standards Commission on April 16 accepted city staff recommendations to address multiple dangerous structures, approving demolition or setting deadlines to allow repairs and boarding.
The commission voted to accept staff findings that 3628 Wickham Ave. (owners Kenneth W. Hill and Helen M. Hill) and 115 Tobin Place (owners Sandra Alicia Delgado and Yesenia Delgado) are substandard and unfit for habitation, and directed those properties be boarded and secured and, if not remedied, demolished under the timelines staff recommended.
On a separate case, the commission modified staff’s recommendation for 5713 Mesilla St. and granted owner Dennis Van Dusen 90 days to submit building permits and secure the property. Staff had recommended demolition within 30 days for that property; commissioners said the extended period is intended to allow an owner who says he is attempting rehabilitation time to obtain permits and begin work. The commission recorded the conditions that the property be boarded and secured within the 90 days and that, absent compliance, the city may proceed to demolish and place a lien for work done.
During public comment on 3628 Wickham Ave., Pascual del Delgado, speaking for nearby residents, said the structure had attracted squatters and drug activity and asked the commission to demolish the house and board it in the meantime. Owner testimony at 5713 Mesilla came from Dennis Van Dusen, who said he had removed squatters, paid for an electrical permit and was trying to rehabilitate the buildings but is on a fixed income and needs time to complete repairs.
Staff presenters noted evidence of fire damage, collapsed ceilings, exposed wiring, combustible materials and unpaid taxes ranging from roughly $1,161.68 to $40,180.81 across the cases. City staff also said state law requires a minimum 30-day notice before taking certain enforcement actions. The commission approved the actions by voice votes and then moved to housekeeping items and adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- 3628 Wickham Ave. (owners Kenneth W. Hill and Helen M. Hill): staff recommended revocation of certificate of occupancy, board and secure within 30 days and demolition within 30 days; commission voted to accept staff recommendation (voice vote).
- 5713 Mesilla St. (owner Dennis Van Dusen): staff recommended board, secure and demolition within 30 days; commission voted to extend the demolition timeline and require submission of building permits within 90 days and boarding/securing in that period; motion passed (voice vote).
- 115 Tobin Place (owners Sandra Alicia Delgado and Yesenia Delgado): staff recommended revocation of certificate of occupancy, boarding and demolition within 30 days; commission voted to accept staff recommendation (voice vote).
The commission also approved the Feb. 19 meeting minutes and adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
