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Council declares three Midwest City properties dilapidated, outlines permit and lien process
Summary
Council declared three properties dilapidated (918 Holly Lane; 2800 North Douglas; 5705 SE 5th), discussing liens, unpaid taxes and the 30-day owner appeal window; one owner asked for time and staff said permits filed within 30 days trigger a six-month permit period for repairs.
The Midwest City Council declared three properties dilapidated and authorized the next steps in the city's code-enforcement process, after staff presented photographs, lien records and evidence of hazards.
Staff described 918 Holly Lane as condemned and missing structural supports, with water shut off for nonpayment and more than $9,000 in liens. For 2800 North Douglas, staff said utilities have not been connected since 2003 and that an individual was found on the property during the inspection. For 5705 Southeast 5th, staff said the property has been boarded and has unpaid taxes; a representative for the owner, Ben Higgins, told the council the company has performed interior work and requested time to complete repairs.
Staff outlined the statutory process: after the council declares a structure dilapidated owners have 30 days to appeal and, absent appeal or corrective action, staff may award contracts to the lowest responsive bidders to abate or demolish the structure; the city then records liens for its costs and may seek recovery at sale. Staff also noted that if an owner files permits within the 30-day window the code process is paused and a proper permit then allows up to six months to complete work under a standard building permit.
Owner comment: Ben Higgins said his company owns the property at 5705 SE 5th and asked for six months to finish interior work and prepare the house for rental; councilors expressed concern about long-standing exterior neglect (lawn and vandalism) and stressed the need for visible progress. Staff said taxes may be unpaid and the property could be subject to sheriff sale if liens remain.
Outcome: Council voted to declare the structures dilapidated and instructed staff to follow statutory notice and remediation timelines; council indicated willingness to work with owners who promptly file necessary permits and address exterior maintenance.
What comes next: owners have a 30-day statutory window to appeal or to file permits that would pause demolition and allow permitted rehabilitation; otherwise staff will proceed with abatement contracting and lien recovery.
