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Council approves demolition order for 737 Harriett Street, grants owner 90-day stay with engineering assessment
Summary
After hearing from property owner Phil Catlett, the Henderson City Council authorized demolition for code violations but granted a 90-day stay and required an engineering assessment if the owner seeks renovation; Council cited prior fire damage and staff concerns about repair costs.
Phil Catlett addressed the council during the agenda public comment period about his property at 737 Harriett Street, saying he had been attempting to remove and rehabilitate the fire-damaged house himself and asking whether the City could help with demolition or debris removal. "He wondered if there was any way the City could help him with the demolition and/or removal of the debris," the minutes record.
City Manager Frank Frazier told the council the Code Compliance division had brought the property forward under Abandoned Structures Code Chapter 21A. Development Services Director Corey Williams said his experience shows the cost to repair structures in similar condition often exceeds 50 percent of the property's value, and recommended an engineering assessment if Council considered a stay. Council members noted the fire occurred in June and discussed past demolition cases on Harriett Street.
Council Member D. Michael Rainey moved to approve Ordinance 19-51 authorizing the demolition of 737 Harriett Street for failure to comply with Chapter 21A but with a caveat: Mr. Catlett would be given a 90-day stay to pursue renovation if he obtained an engineering assessment during that time and restored the house to minimum standards; otherwise the demolition would proceed. The motion was seconded by Council Member Sara M. Coffey and passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The action balances code enforcement against a property owner's request for help and time to explore repair. The 90-day stay and engineering assessment provide a limited avenue for rehabilitation while preserving the council's authority to order demolition if minimum standards are not met.
Next step: If Mr. Catlett seeks to renovate, he must obtain an engineering assessment and demonstrate a plan to restore the structure to minimum standards within the 90-day period; otherwise staff will proceed with demolition per the ordinance.
