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Council condemns two unsafe properties; orders boarding and authorizes demolition lien with 90-day owner period
Summary
Council condemned 620 North Charles Street for code violations and authorized boarding; it also condemned 816 West Holt Street and authorized demolition with costs assessed as a lien while giving owners 90 days to comply or pay.
The Mebane City Council on May 4 moved to address two long‑standing unsafe properties in the community, voting to condemn, secure, and (if necessary) demolish structures that fail minimum housing standards.
620 North Charles Street: Code enforcement inspector Cliff Askew (S18) outlined multiple notice attempts, lack of utilities and evidence the property may be occupied intermittently. Council discussed welfare checks and working with police and mobile crisis teams if someone is found; Chief Mitch McKinney (S8) said law enforcement will perform welfare checks when called and the city can coordinate mobile crisis and code-enforcement staff. Council voted 4-1 to post the property as unfit for human habitation and to secure it. Members emphasized a humane approach and use of code/civil procedures.
816 West Holt Street: Staff reported prior condemnation from January 2023, repeated failures to repair, and no active utilities for years. Family members asked for time to respond and requested to pursue voluntary demolition. Council formally condemned the structure, authorized building inspectors to proceed with demolition if owners do not act, and clarified that demolition costs would be assessed as a lien on the property that accrues interest at the legal rate; the ordinance provides the owner 90 days from May 4 to bring the property into compliance. Council emphasized sensitivity toward affected family members while starting the formal process.
Why it matters: condemnations are a direct municipal action to protect public health and safety, but they raise immediate welfare and legal questions when a person may live in the dwelling. Council repeatedly stressed care in conducting welfare checks, involving social-service partners where feasible, and following state statutes to reduce liability.
Next steps: inspections and code enforcement will post property placards, notify owners, and proceed with boarding or demolition per the city ordinance if remediation does not occur within the statutory period. The city will record liens for demolition costs if performed by the city.
