Sandusky appeals board gives owner 30 days to secure contractor and permit for fire‑damaged house

The Residential Building Code Board of Appeals voted 5–1 on [date not specified in transcript] to give owner Mildred Ivette Darden a 30‑day window to line up a licensed demolition contractor, present a signed contract to the city and obtain a demolition permit for 602 West Osborne Street.

Darden, who was sworn before testifying, told the board she "dispute[d] the city's damage determination and I request the opportunity to obtain an independent structural evaluation before any irreversible action is taken." She said she received the city's demolition notice in late December but did not get the regular-mail copy until about Feb. 6, 2026, and asked the board to preserve the property's fire‑escrow funds while she pursues an owner‑managed demolition or potential restoration.

Her daughter, who said she has assisted with the case, described repeated problems securing contractors listed by the building department…