Freeport board sets 30/60/90 deadlines for repair or demolition of two long-vacant homes

The Freeport Board of Adjustments voted to require owners of two long-vacant, substandard houses to show progress under a staged compliance timeline and authorized staff to pursue boarding or demolition if owners do not meet deadlines.

Reggie Harris, the city’s building official, told the board that both 322 South Avenue and 703 West 5th are R2‑zoned structures the city has repeatedly found to be in violation of adopted codes, including the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by Freeport. “The property continues to present conditions consistent with a dangerous structure,” Harris said, and staff recommended an initial 30 days to obtain bids and a plan of action, 60 days for permits or to begin rehabilitation or demolition, and a final 90‑day deadline for full compliance or demolition to grade. He noted that if the city must authorize demolition it can place liens on the property under Texas Local Government Code §214 to recover costs.

Committee member Kenny moved to adopt Harris’s recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The board’s approval covers the staged timeline and authorizes staff to place liens for abatement costs if owners fail to comply.

At a public hearing on 322 South Avenue, a family representative, Kenard Hill, said the owner has died and the family plans to demolish the house but needs time to resolve probate and coordination issues. “We’re going to need a little time to be able to do this,” Hill said, adding the family would work with staff and attorneys to obtain the necessary approvals. Harris told the board that probate status does not halt enforcement for dangerous structures and that the 90‑day statutory maximum governs the city’s formal timeline; he offered to meet with the family to draft a written action plan and to report monthly on progress to the board.

Neighbor Clifton Sanders said he lives at the adjacent property and described the neighborhood’s age and limited resources. Sanders said he has tried to access local housing and roofing programs and welcomed staff help connecting him to Habitat for Humanity and church volunteer efforts. The board accepted public comment, closed the hearing and instructed staff to pursue the agreed timeline while coordinating with the family.

On 703 West 5th, staff urged a short timeline and recommended boarding the property immediately to prevent vagrancy and criminal activity while the city solicits bids for abatement; boarding typically requires about a dozen sheets of plywood, Harris said. Some board members expressed support for immediate demolition because the structure has been vacant and unboarded for an extended period, while others favored temporary boarding as a practical interim measure. A motion to require 30 days for boarding or demolition action was seconded and passed.

After both votes the board discussed expanding the city’s demolition budget next year and continuing aggressive outreach to secure owner compliance. Harris said the city has more than 70 properties in its current review queue and that staff will continue prioritizing properties that pose immediate safety or blight risks.

What happens next: staff will work with the families and property contacts to develop written action plans, return with monthly progress updates, and proceed with bidding and abatement steps if owners fail to meet the 30/60/90 milestones. If the city pays for abatement, costs will be liened to the property under Texas Local Government Code §214.