Council directs notice to owner of 122 Carter Lake Club under unsafe‑building rules

The Carter Lake City Council directed staff to send a formal notice to the owner of 122 Carter Lake Club under the city’s unsafe‑building procedures after a legal briefing explaining the municipal code process.

David (staff legal counsel) reviewed Chapter 130 and explained that the code provides for notice to an owner, an opportunity for a hearing and further enforcement steps — including posting signs and, as a last resort, demolition — if a structure is found to be manifestly unsafe or abandoned. David said the photographs and inspector notes suggest the property fits the city’s criteria for “manifestly unsafe” or “inadequate maintenance.” He recommended staff proceed with the notice process under Section 13.04 and allow the owner an opportunity to respond.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about abandonment standards (for example, whether utilities being active affect the abandonment determination) and the procedural protections available to property owners. David said issuing a notice does not automatically mean demolition; it begins a process that includes notice, a right to a hearing and time to comply. The timeline mentioned during the discussion included a 90‑day compliance window from the date of notice.

A councilmember moved and the council voted to send the notice to 122 Carter Lake Club under Section 13.04 of the municipal code. The motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded in the meeting (Jacob, Jason, Jackie and Aaron recorded as voting yes). Council asked staff to proceed with the notice this week and to report back on any owner response or follow‑up needed.

Next steps: staff will serve the formal notice, provide the council with the owner’s response (if any), and prepare any required hearing documentation if compliance is not achieved within the notice period.