Farmington council orders removal of dilapidated house at 822 Hella Avenue

Farmington — The Farmington City Council voted unanimously April 13 to adopt Resolution 2026-2035 directing staff to condemn and remove a dangerous, dilapidated building at 822 Hella Avenue.

City Attorney Miss Patel summarized the packet for council, saying it included a timeline of calls for service, photos showing structural failure and a record of ordinance violations. "First item on the agenda is resolution number 20 26 2035, which is directing the removal of a dangerous and dilapidated building in ruins and rubbish wreckage and debris from 822 Hella Avenue in city of Farmington, New Mexico," she said.

Code Compliance Officer Johnston told the council staff had sent two letters to the property owner, identified in the packet as Miss Hanlon, and that the certified letter was returned unclaimed. "We did take the time to send 2 separate letters, 1 certified and 1 not to, Miss Hanlon, and the certified came back unclaimed," he said. A TLO search in staff records showed the owner’s last known address as an assisted-living community in Denver; Johnston said staff believe the owner is about 77 years old.

Staff described the structure as unsecured and in poor repair, with the ceiling and roof failing and significant accumulation of junk and refuse. Johnston said officers executed a warrant to document interior conditions on Dec. 9, 2025 and that neighbors made repeated calls for service tied to the property; staff logged 13 calls in 2025 alone. He warned the structure posed an active hazard to the neighborhood: "it's a matter of time before it catches on fire." The building and fire departments are in support of condemnation, the packet states.

Under the resolution, if the council approves condemnation staff would post and mail notice to the owner; the owner would have 15 days to appeal the order to district court. If the city proceeds with demolition, it would file a lien for costs on the property. Miss Patel explained the lien remains for five years and, if unpaid, the city could foreclose, sell the property, recover costs and return any surplus to the owner or estate.

Councilors asked whether state law allowed the city to accelerate the process; Miss Patel said local ordinance governs the timeframe and that staff are considering an ordinance update to avoid repeated restarts of the remediation clock when properties are intermittently secured. Johnston noted some boarded properties are not eligible for condemnation because they are secured, but this house is unsecured and accessible to squatters, which increases public-safety risk.

Councilor Rogers moved to adopt the resolution; Councilor Giacchino seconded. The council voted 4-0 to approve the condemnation and removal directive.

Next steps: staff will post and mail notice to the last-known address, allow the 15-day appeal period, contract for demolition if no successful appeal is filed, calculate final demolition costs and file a lien on the property for recovery.