Commission approves demolition order for dilapidated house at 300 South Houston

The Building Standards Commission voted unanimously to approve an order for demolition of the dilapidated house at 300 South Houston following a public hearing and staff testimony.

Staff told the commission the property had been declared substandard at the May 18, 2026 meeting and that certified notice had been mailed and signed for by the owner. "He did receive the certified mail, signed for it," staff said. The commission noted staff had boarded the home’s windows and doors to limit access but that the roof and an outbuilding remained hazards.

Commission members discussed an email from the owner requesting an extension. Staff relayed the owner’s claim that he had owned the property “for approximately 15 years” and that he had been told previously by a city representative he could keep it as long as it was mowed; legal and staff said there is no city record to confirm that claim. "There is no record," staff told the commission.

After closing the public hearing at 04:10, legal counsel Pam advised that the structure presented a danger to the community and that legal staff were not concerned about an appeal. "This is a dangerous structure posing a risk to the community," Pam said. The commission then voted to issue the demolition order; staff will notify the owner that, under ordinance and state law, the owner has 30 days from notice to file an appeal in district court.

The commission’s action directs staff to proceed with issuing the corrected formal order (staff reported a prior typographical error in the order’s hearing date and said an updated order would be sent). The commission indicated it will revisit any appeal if filed; absent an appeal, staff said it would take steps at the end of the 30‑day appeal period to effect demolition.