Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nuisance Abatement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council orders process to remove hazardous fire-damaged house at 1316 Broadway S.; owner has applied for demolition permit
Summary
Following a staff report and neighborhood testimony about long-standing blight and safety hazards, the council approved an order to abate the fire-damaged structure at 1316 Broadway Ave. S. if the owner does not complete voluntary demolition, and directed staff to pursue district-court action if needed.
The Albert Lea City Council adopted a resolution to proceed with abatement of a long-vacant, fire-damaged house at 1316 Broadway Avenue South after a staff presentation and multiple neighbors’ public comments.
Wayne Sorensen, the city’s building and zoning official, presented a timeline and photos showing a June 2023 fire, subsequent placarding and a history of intermittent attempts to repair the structure. Sorensen said the roof framing and interior were compromised, the property remained uninhabitable and signage and notices had been posted; the city had issued and then voided a repair permit when contractors left the project.
Neighbors told the council the structure has been a persistent blight: Marilyn Lancaster (speaking for the owner) said the owner had applied for a demolition permit and hired a contractor, Julie Rotor and Barbara Smith described prolonged problems with pests and neighborhood impacts, and Patrick Gentry urged action for the sake of vulnerable neighbors.
Sorensen recommended proceeding with the council action to preserve the city’s place in the legal abatement process if voluntary demolition does not occur. Councilors noted the city historically worked to avoid unnecessary demolition but also agreed the process needed to move more quickly when property owners failed to act.
Council action: The council voted to approve the order for removal and abatement; staff said the next steps would be to serve the order, allow a statutory waiting period (about 30 days), then pursue an expedited district-court hearing if the owner does not complete demolition. If the city performs the demolition, costs would be assessed to the property.
Next steps: Staff will monitor the owner’s permit and contractor activity; if demolition is not completed, the city will proceed with court action and potential abatement with costs assessed to the property.
