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Freeport Board of Adjustments orders repairs or demolition for several dilapidated properties, sets timeframes
Summary
The Freeport Board of Adjustments voted to order repair or demolition timelines for multiple unsafe properties, including notices to tear down 722 West Fourth and 918 West 12th if not brought into compliance; a burned house at 420 South F was given 90 days to sell or be demolished.
The Freeport Board of Adjustments considered multiple dangerous-building cases and voted to set repair or demolition deadlines for several properties, and to give property owners brief windows to sell or secure homes before city action. Staff recommended demolition for the most deteriorated structures, citing public-safety risks.
Inspection staff presented the most detailed case for 918 West 12th Street, saying an April inspection identified unsafe means of egress, foundation failure, leaning walls and “severe deterioration exceeding 50%” and estimated structural damage at roughly 75%. Reggie Harris, the city inspection staff member who presented the report, said: "My recommendation is to demolish the structure within a 30-day period." The board later moved and approved a demolition order that will proceed if the owner does not bring the building into compliance within 30 days.
For 722 West Fourth Street (Freeport Block 94, lot 14; property ID 209801) staff reviewed a long history of attempts to secure repairs and noted an earlier agreement to demolish that had not been fulfilled; the board confirmed an order for demolition within 30 days after closing the public hearing. Reggie told the board the order carries with the property and that extensions are limited under state law.
At 420 South F (Velasco Block 51, lot 910; property ID 259985), owner Steven Davis told the board his house burned in January, said utilities were disconnected and that he secured doors on the structure; he asked for time to sell. Davis told the board he would "give me 90 days. If nobody bought it, I'll just have it demoed myself." The board voted unanimously to give Davis 90 days to address or sell the property before city abatement proceeds.
The board and staff emphasized standard enforcement practice: orders are tied to the property, not the owner, and fees for demolition or abatement may be assessed to the property and collected through liens. Staff also reminded the board that securing windows and clearing heavy vegetation are frequently the first steps to reduce trespass and immediate hazards.
The board’s actions were presented as enforcement steps to protect public health, safety and welfare; each order allows short opportunities for owner compliance or sale before the city moves forward with abatement and recovery of costs.
