Mitchell Cardenas says mold, conflicting inspections stalled repairs; commissioners debate demolition timeframe for 207 W. 7th

Mitchell Cardenas, who identified himself during the public hearing, told the City of Weatherford commission that mold and roof damage—which he said began after utility/telephone-pole work—left the interior sheetrock "turning black" and forced repeated repairs. He said permitting challenges, conflicting inspector guidance and a period when he was not allowed on the property further delayed work.

"The sheetrock in my house started turning black when I went into other rooms," Cardenas said, describing interior mold and a lengthy permit and inspection history. He told the commission he hired an architect to obtain a full remodel permit and that he has contractors ready but needs an engineer to confirm the roof is safe to finish.

A city building inspector told the commission staff had checked records and "did not see any indication in the written record of of any of the cases that we have on the property that that that was an issue or that was the cause of the issue," and said the police presence Cardenas described may have been associated with execution of a search warrant.

Commissioners debated whether to allow more time to repair or to order demolition. One commissioner said a 120-day repair window could be considered to account for the owner's explanation; the chair said, "I think a 30 day demolition order is my opinion," and a commissioner later read a motion ordering demolition within 30 days and requiring the owner to secure the property within seven days. That motion was seconded. The transcript does not include a recorded roll-call or vote count on the motion.

The transcript captures Cardenas’s claims and staff’s statement that no written record links utility work to the roof damage; neither side produced documentary evidence in the hearing record provided.