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Resident cites family medical emergency; commission gives 60 days for repairs or demolition at 4701 South Riverside
Summary
At a Fort Worth building-standards hearing, Toby Evans said his brother is in stage-four cancer and asked for extra time; after staff documented structural and health hazards staff sought 30 days but the commission ordered 60 days for the owner to repair or demolish the primary structure and three accessory structures at 4701 South Riverside Drive.
At a Fort Worth Building Standards Commission hearing, code compliance officer Franklin Young described severe structural and health hazards at 4701 South Riverside Drive, including a collapsing exterior brick wall, a decayed roof with breaches, interior collapse and floors covered with feces and trash. Young told commissioners the city had secured the vacant structure, executed an administrative search warrant and recommended the commission declare the structures substandard and hazardous and require remediation within 30 days.
Toby Evans, appearing on behalf of his mother, told the commission he had only recently learned of the notices because his brother is in stage-four cancer and family circumstances prevented him from managing the property. "My brother's in stage four cancer. My mother's elderly and does not live at the house anymore ... I'm trying to get the house sold as of now," Evans said when asked to state his relationship to the property and explain his plans.
Evans said he was trying to list the house and expected to meet with potential buyers; when asked what time he needed, he asked for up to 90 days as a cushion. City staff explained the typical amendment process and said owners may request additional time if they can show steps in motion. After closing the public portion, the commission moved and voted to declare the primary and three accessory structures substandard and hazardous and — after commissioner discussion — ordered the owner to repair or demolish the structures within 60 days and authorized city staff to perform demolition and lien costs if the owner fails to comply. The motion carried on roll call.
The commission's order notifies owners, lienholders and mortgagees that they may request an amendment to extend compliance time or reduce penalties and that they may appeal to the Tarrant County District Court within 30 days of mailing of the order. The code officer who presented the case advised Evans to stay in touch with his assigned code officer about paperwork and next steps.
