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Tippecanoe County affirms demolition order for unsafe building tied to Graciela Serrano
Summary
The commissioners voted July 20 to affirm a building commissioner's demolition order for a structurally unsafe property owned by Graciela Serrano after staff presented photos and testimony about collapse risk and proximity to a public walking trail; counsel will circulate a recorded order and the property owner may appeal.
Tippecanoe County commissioners voted unanimously July 20 to affirm a building commissioner's order requiring demolition or restoration of a dangerously deteriorated structure owned by Graciela Serrano.
The building commissioner, Bill, presented eight photographs and testified that staff had tried for about 1.5 years to secure compliance, including recent phone and email contact with the asset-servicing company Guardian. "It's extremely dangerous hazardous," Bill said, noting the building is deteriorating, sits within about 19 feet of the floodplain and is near a walking trail that creates public safety concerns.
Counsel advised the board that because the order concerns demolition, state statute requires a hearing and gives the board three options: affirm, modify (only to make the order less strict), or vacate. The board voted to affirm the building commissioner's order; Commissioner (mover) made the motion and the chair seconded. Counsel was directed to circulate a form of order that will be recorded and specify the owner’s appeal rights.
The record shows certified-mail notice was served on owner Graciela Serrano and mortgagee NewRez LLC; both signed for the notices according to the building commissioner. The record does not specify the property's street address.
