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Board orders demolition of two fire‑damaged houses after inspector testimony
Summary
After reviewing fire‑scene photos and title and notice evidence, the Joplin Building Board of Appeals declared 2301 West 4th Street and 817 Chestnut Avenue dangerous and ordered both demolished; the city presented inspector testimony and certified notices before the board voted to demolish.
The Joplin Building Board of Appeals declared two fire‑damaged houses dangerous and ordered them demolished at its Feb. 28, 2025 meeting after the city presented inspection photos and testimony.
Jeff Oliver, building inspector for the City of Joplin, identified deputy fire marshal photographs and testified that the structure at 2301 West 4th Street had “extensive fire damage throughout” and “is a dangerous structure and in my opinion, is not economically feasible to rehab.” Oliver told the board the photos showed compromised exits, damaged framing and roofline, and that parts of the house appeared to be “like a hoarder house,” making safe egress unlikely. He estimated “probably 50 to 74% of this is damaged” and recommended demolition.
City staff entered photo exhibits and supporting documentation into the record — including two photographic sets taken 11/19/2024 and 2/27/2025, a title search showing Richard Clements as the recorded owner, certified mail return receipts, and a published legal notice in the Joplin Globe announcing the demolition hearing. The city asked the board to keep the record open for publication receipts and meeting minutes; the board accepted the exhibits and then voted to declare the structure dangerous and order demolition, including outbuildings. The motion was recorded as approved (“All those in favor, say aye.”)
Oliver gave similar testimony about 817 Chestnut Avenue, presenting two sets of photos (one from the date the property was posted and one from Feb. 27) and a title search and tax‑sale certificate identifying named parties and tax‑sale purchasers. He described the house as “severely dilapidated,” with missing stairs, deteriorated siding, compromised chimney, open or boarded windows and unsafe mechanical and electrical systems. Oliver testified that the structure did not meet minimum code requirements and was not economically feasible to repair; he recommended demolition. The board voted to declare 817 Chestnut Avenue a dangerous building and ordered demolition, again including outbuildings.
City staff noted there was no respondent present in the audience for either case. For 2301 West 4th, the city introduced certified mail receipts and evidence of newspaper publication as part of its effort to show proper notice had been given to owners and interested parties. For 817 Chestnut, the city similarly reported attempts to contact owners and tax‑sale purchasers and presented the title search and advertisement records as evidence that notice requirements had been met.
Next steps: the board’s orders require the city to proceed with demolition processes consistent with Chapter 26 (articles 9 and 10) of the Joplin code of ordinances. The city asked that the record remain open for publication confirmation; otherwise the city closed its case and the board issued its demolition orders.
