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Stewartville orders abatement at 817 Burke Boulevard after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing on complaints about the condition of 817 Burke Boulevard SE, the Stewartville City Council found facts supporting a nuisance abatement, authorized entry to remove items and ordered the owner to pay abatement costs; the motion passed by voice vote.
Stewartville’s City Council voted to order abatement of nuisance conditions at 817 Burke Boulevard SE after a public hearing in which staff described numerous unopened packages and neighbors said the property owner had not responded to outreach.
During the hearing the chair summarized the city’s notice process and read the relevant code provision that gives the council authority to abate nuisances. City staff said the city had received repeated complaints and that many packages and items on the porch and yard appeared unopened. A neighbor who described living next door told the council those boxes had not been opened and said the owner had not answered the door or phone calls.
No one representing the property, listed in the record as owned by Jennifer McLaren, appeared to speak in the hearing. After closing the public comment period the council made findings of fact and moved to enter the property and remove the offending items. The council directed that costs for abatement, including attorney and administrative fees, be assessed to the property and may be collected through property taxes if unpaid.
A motion to authorize the abatement was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The council directed public works and staff to coordinate storage of removed items and to work with the city attorney on procedures; staff noted removed items likely would be stored for a period (an estimate of about 90 days was mentioned during discussion). The council also asked staff to address a separate tree concern at the property.
What happens next: the abatement will proceed with public works action and the city will notify the property owner by mail; costs will be assessed to the property if they remain unpaid. The council did not set a further hearing date at the meeting.
Attributions: Quotes and descriptions of testimony in this article are attributed to speakers who appear in the meeting record as the chair, council members and neighbors. The council’s actions (motion, vote, and assessment of costs) are recorded in the meeting minutes and reflected in this account.
