Muncie unsafe‑building authority sets inspections, deadlines and releases one rehab order

MUNCIE, Ind. — The Muncie City Unsafe Building Hearing Authority on July 9 reviewed dozens of properties on its docket, released at least one rehab order for a property in compliance and set a series of 30‑ and 60‑day status hearings that generally require progress inspections or permits before a case can be cleared.

The authority chair opened the hearing by entering the unsafe‑building statute (36‑7‑9) into the record and swearing witnesses. City staff listed authority members and staff present and explained notice and appeal rights for property owners. Staff repeatedly urged parties to provide a timeline and to pull permits before reoccupying units.

Why it matters: the authority’s orders determine whether properties remain on the city’s unsafe list, whether fines may be assessed and whether owners can re‑rent or otherwise return properties to use. The July meeting tied multiple continuances to inspections and concrete deadlines, and it adopted staff recommendations for dozens of docket items where owners did not appear.

A summary of key outcomes follows. Each action recorded below reflects motions or staff recommendations presented at the July 9 hearing.

Votes at a glance

- Release — 808 West Power Street: Staff recommended, and the authority voted to release the rehab order after the owner, Walter Poe, demonstrated compliance. (motion carried)

- 30‑day status with inspection required — property represented by Troy Lacer (420 High Street): Owner representative said repairs were completed and mold testing "passed"; the authority affirmed the rehab order, asked for a progress inspection and warned a $150 fine would apply if no inspection was obtained.

- 30‑day status — 912/914 West Powers Street (Shantel Hughes): Authority affirmed the rehab order and set a 30‑day update; staff directed the owner to contact Community Development for a roof‑repair program.

- 30‑day status — 81509 West University Avenue (Amanda Lloyd, Middletown Property Group): Owner reported an approved contractor bid (~$30,000; ~6–8 weeks construction); authority set a 30‑day update to confirm permitting and contract filing.

- 60‑day status — 626 West 9th Street (Nicholas Hutchinson): Owner reported eligibility confusion with Community Development because of pending charges; the authority set a 60‑day continuance for a timeline and plan.

- 30‑day status with inspections — 151001 East 29th Street (Heather McKittin): Authority required permits and inspections prior to the next meeting before releasing the unsafe order, following tenant complaints about interior damage.

- 60‑day status — 17501 North Bennett Street (Melissa Hendricks) and 1723 South Madison Street (Dave Norton): Both owners were given 60 days to resolve title/ownership or financing issues and to pull permits and obtain inspections.

- Demo and cleanup matters — 31333 East North Street (Madrovic), 351613 East Andover (Walter Poe) and 2120 East Willard Street (Johnny Brown): authority set 30–60 day timelines, discussed use of the city dumpster program and instructed owners to obtain demo permits and progress inspections.

What owners and tenants said

A tenant who spoke about a unit at the East 29th Street property described ongoing health concerns tied to roof and interior water damage, saying, "When I lived there, we had a ceiling that needed fixed for days and days and days, and nobody's been out to fix it ... we ended up being sick." The authority reiterated that electrical and structural repairs must be brought up to code and that permits and inspections are required before re‑occupancy.

Staff direction and penalties

Staff repeatedly directed owners to contact Community Development for financial assistance programs (including a roof program named during the hearing) and said the Building Commissioner’s office would schedule progress and final inspections. At least one fine level was cited: $150 for failing to obtain a required progress inspection; members also discussed higher fines for repeated noncompliance but generally tied escalation to follow‑up over the next 30 days.

What happens next

Most matters were continued to either 30‑ or 60‑day status hearings. Where owners obtain the required inspections and documentation before the next meeting, the authority noted the case can be cleared without the owner returning to the hearing. Staff will mail findings and orders to property owners; appeals must be initiated in Delaware County Circuit Court within 10 days of the hearing record, per staff instructions.

(Reporting by Muncie City Unsafe Building Hearing Authority meeting minutes and the July 9, 2026 hearing record.)