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Council hears unsafe-building case for Michigan Avenue property; staff urged to document notice, appraisal before demolition
Summary
At a hearing about an abandoned Michigan Avenue house tied to the estate of the late Brent Lee, council staff reported failed service attempts and urged publication, appraisal and heirs’ documentation before any demolition. The board discussed mowing, liens and legal risk if the town moves without clear notice.
The French Lick Town Council held an unsafe-building hearing about a property on Michigan Avenue tied to the estate of the late Brent Lee, where staff said the house is abandoned and in “extreme disrepair.” Town staff reported hand-delivery of notice, a returned certified-mail receipt and newspaper publication attempts but said heirs and stepchildren have not completed estate paperwork to establish legal ownership.
Council members pressed staff on next steps and legal risk. Staff said the town may publish notice and pursue certified service options, but emphasized that demolition without valid service could expose the town to claims for the former property’s value. Members recommended securing documentary CYA — an appraisal or assessed-value record and proof of advertising — before entering bids for demolition.
The council discussed interim, lower-risk remedies: mowing and securing the site, charging those costs as liens, and attempting direct contact with heirs. Staff said back taxes and liens already exist and recommended compiling a folder of public-record valuation and a written appraisal so the town can defend any later claim of excessive damages.
No demolition motion was adopted at the hearing. Instead the council directed staff to continue efforts to identify legally authorized representatives (open the estate if necessary), confirm publication and service steps required by ordinance, consider an appraisal, and return with recommendations at the next meeting.
What happens next: staff will pursue additional service attempts and documentation; the council said it wants an appraisal/assessed-value record and clearer proof of notice before deciding whether to solicit demolition bids or commence abatement.
