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Woodstock council authorizes legal action to address hazardous building at 318 Clay Street
Summary
After a public exchange with the property owner, the council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the city attorney to pursue demolition or remediation of the hazardous building at 318 Clay Street if the owner does not make timely progress, citing public-safety concerns and IEPA asbestos procedures.
The Woodstock City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on April 21 authorizing the city attorney to pursue legal action regarding a deteriorating building at 318 Clay Street, a structure the city described as a public-safety hazard.
Bob Thompson of Thompson’s Appliance came forward to ask for clarity about the city’s intentions and to explain that asbestos testing had been submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. “I don’t really know where we’re at with this,” Thompson said, and told the council he could not begin demolition without IEPA direction because of asbestos removal protocols.
Council members and the mayor emphasized the goal of securing progress rather than immediately pursuing litigation. The mayor said the city’s priority is action and that the city manager, Roscoe, was authorized to include legal steps on his action list if progress did not materialize. Council members urged Thompson to maintain a clear paper trail of contact with the IEPA and his contractor and to coordinate with city staff.
The motion approved (Item D9) authorizes the city attorney to proceed under the cited Illinois statutory authority and permits the city to demolish, repair or otherwise secure the building or to force the owner to do so if necessary. Council members stressed that action would be contingent on whether the owner demonstrated sufficient, timely progress and compliance with IEPA instructions.
The ordinance passed unanimously. Council asked the owner and his contractor to keep Roscoe and city staff updated and to provide a plan and schedule, with the understanding that the city would step in only if necessary to protect public safety.
