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Council schedules July hearing after inspectors find multifamily campus unsafe; legal team authorized to seek injunctive relief
Summary
City staff told the council that inspections found multiple buildings at a large multifamily campus unsafe and unfit for occupancy; the board of code appeals upheld the city’s determination and the council added authority for legal counsel to pursue injunctive relief while staff explores social-service help for residents.
Council planning staff outlined a months-long inspection of a multifamily campus at 5823 Rhine Village Drive that found widespread maintenance failures and multiple buildings deemed unfit for occupancy.
"We commenced a comprehensive inspection in March 2025," Martin said, reporting that inspectors found systemic problems, incomplete permits for major repairs and evidence of work performed without appropriate permits and inspections. Martin said some mold and moisture remediation permits exist, but no full structural or architectural rehabilitation plans have been filed.
The owner appealed the city's determination; the board of code appeals upheld the city’s position, Martin said, and the council will receive a building-by-building report, with photographs and staff notes, at the public hearing scheduled for July 13.
Council members pressed staff on immediate steps to protect occupants. "What, if anything, can we do to help the occupants of this unsafe location?" one council member asked, noting residents were still living at the site.
The city attorney and legal counsel discussed enforcement options. City legal counsel told the council he had added language to the draft resolution "to authorize legal counsel to apply for injunctive relief if necessary," giving the city authority to seek court intervention if the owner refuses to act.
Staff said some relocation assistance has been attempted and that assisting residents to get out of unsafe units is a priority, but cautioned that using public dollars to improve private property is limited; staff suggested social services and coordination with agencies to assist displaced residents.
The council set a public hearing for July 13 to consider declaring the property a nuisance and to weigh abatement steps, and asked staff and legal to include building-specific findings and photographs in the hearing packet.
The hearing will present the detailed inspection report and allow the council to consider enforcement actions, including fines, abatement and possible injunctive relief.
