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Council declares 303 South Iowa a nuisance, orders removal or demolition
Summary
After staff showed photos and neighbors reported hoarding, council adopted Ordinance 2025-4076 declaring the single-family dwelling at 303 South Iowa a nuisance and ordering removal within 45 days unless owner pulls permits and shows engineering plans to support remediation.
The City of La Porte adopted Ordinance 2025-4076 after a public hearing during which staff described repeated complaints about hoarding, vehicles and debris in the rear yard and significant roof damage. Staff said the owner had been granted a prior 90-day extension and no permits had been submitted to show work had begun.
"From the comparison photographs, no work has been done," Richard told the council, summarizing inspection findings and photographs dated May 8 and September 4. Council members said they had driven past the property and observed no improvement during the extension period. A motion to adopt the ordinance was made and passed; the ordinance orders the owner to commence removal within 10 days of the effective date and complete demolition within 45 days unless the council later votes to repeal the order.
Councilmembers asked what would be required to halt demolition if the owner shows substantial progress; staff said the owner would need permits, marked improvements, and likely engineered plans certifying the structure's soundness before the council would consider repeal. The ordinance finds Randall W. Sernicek as the record owner and sets timelines for the Dangerous Building Inspection Board and the City Secretary to notify the owner and proceed with the removal if the owner does not comply.
