Hopkinsville board upholds violation at 432 Henderson Drive, gives owner 90 days to repair

The City of Hopkinsville Code of Ordinance Enforcement Board on July 14 found that a three‑unit building at 432 Henderson Drive constituted an unsafe structure and entered an order allowing the owner 90 days to repair the property and assess a monetary penalty and administrative fee.

Chair David Howell opened the hearing and read the procedural rights for respondents. Jeffrey Watkins, code enforcement officer with the Hopkinsville Fire Department, testified that he inspected the property on June 11, 2026 after a complaint and documented roof and attic damage, missing and unsecured doors and windows, interior holes, buckling floors and removed utility meters after a May 6 fire. Watkins said photographs and PVA records linked the property to the owner and that a tenant in Apartment B had been found using an extension cord from a neighbor to power an air conditioner. "This property was found on 06/11/2026," Watkins said when describing the inspection and evidence.

Owner Adan Montoya Duran told the board he bought the property before the fire, said two units were fire‑damaged while Unit B was not, and said tenants vacated or were asked to vacate. Duran said he had a contractor from Memphis and had received an insurance check co‑payable to him and the contractor and was ready to begin work once funds were processed. "I'm trying to get everything fixed up," Duran said.

The board discussed securing the building, the contractor estimate that Duran provided, and whether utilities had been active before the fire; Watkins confirmed electric and gas were removed the night of the fire and that water remained active later. Chair Howell explained the board's options and told Duran the board prefers repair to demolition, but that it could grant at most 90 days for remediation under HCO 33.188. Howell also instructed Duran to submit a contractor work write‑up within 45 days for review by code enforcement to ensure the planned repairs meet building code.

After deliberation the board voted to find a violation based on the city's presentation. In the penalty phase the board voted to assess the minimum monetary penalty, order a $200 administrative fee, and allow the owner 90 days to complete repairs under a submitted work write‑up. The chair said the board would avoid demolition if the owner makes demonstrable progress: "We'd rather have it repaired than torn down."

The board closed the hearing and directed staff to prepare a written order reflecting the finding, the fee, and the 90‑day remediation timeline. Duran was asked to sign paperwork before leaving and to coordinate permits and the work write‑up with code enforcement officer Jeffrey Watkins.

The board’s order will be issued in writing; the owner may appeal a final order to the Christian District Court within 30 days as outlined during the hearing.