TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, Assistant City Manager
Dr. Gerald Newton, AICP, Development Services Director
David Steinmetz, Development Services Assistant Director
FROM: Dereke D. Planter Jr., Code Enforcement Supervisor
DATE: February 24, 2025
RE:
Title
Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
415 W Russell Street District 2
541 Orange Street District 2
1700 Clinton Road District 2
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe & Secure Community; Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work & Recreate
Executive Summary:
Staff requests that the Council approve demolition ordinances for two commercial buildings deemed dangerous, one residential building identified as a blight.
Background:
415 W Russell Street - PIN 0437-43-7377
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This vacant commercial property was inspected and condemned as dangerous on February 23, 2023 due to collapsed roof. The structure needs significant repairs, ceiling, ceiling joists, walls, roofing material, trim, fascia, roof rafters and sheathing.
The hearing regarding the property’s condition was held on October 26, 2023, with the property owner failing to attend. Following this hearing, an order was issued on October 27, 2023, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information about the City’s Economic & Community Development Department and available programs to help with repairs and demolition costs.
To date, there has been no enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and no repairs have been made to the property, which remains in its condemned state. There have been no emergency calls to the property in the last 24 months, and one code violation case. Additionally, no City assessments and $3,871.00 in unpaid taxes. The property has a demolition score of 74 points on the matrix.
541 Orange Street - PIN 0437-57-3869
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This vacant residential property was condemned as blight on September 18, 2024. The structure requires substantial repairs, including ceiling and ceiling joists, walls, doors and frames, windowpanes, frames and sashes, roofing material, flashing and trim/fascia.
A notice of the hearing was published in the Fayetteville Observer on November 24, 2024, and the hearing was held on December 6, 2024, with the property owner failing to attend. Following this hearing, an order was issued on December 9, 2024, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice provided contact information for the City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department, as well as details on available programs to assist with repair and demolition expenses.
As of now, no repairs have been made, and there has been no confirmation of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program. The property has had 17 emergency calls in the past 24 months. In addition, property has accumulated five code violations, with $491.40 in City assessments and $1,120.00 in outstanding taxes. This property has a demolition score of 68 points on the matrix.
1700 Clinton Road - PIN 0447-50-9845
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This vacant commercial property was condemned as dangerous on February 14, 2024, due to fire. The structure requires substantial repairs, including floor framing and flooring, ceiling and ceiling joists, walls, doors and frames, electrical wiring, fixtures and devices, windowpanes, frames and sashes, roofing material, flashing, trim and fascia, roof rafters and sheathing.
A notice of the hearing was published in the Fayetteville Observer on November 10, 2024, and the hearing was held on November 22, 2024, with the property owner failing to attend. Following this hearing, an order was issued on November 25, 2024, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice provided contact information for the City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department, as well as details on available programs to assist with repair and demolition expenses.
As of now, no repairs have been made, and there has been no confirmation of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program. The property has had 33 emergency calls in the past 24 months. In addition, property has accumulated five code violations, with $1,054.92 in City assessments and $5,268,86 in outstanding taxes. This property has a demolition score of 79 points on the matrix.
Issues/Analysis:
The subject properties are substandard and significantly contribute to neighborhood blight and nuisance. This undermines the City’s Strategic Operating Plan Goal 1, which aims to enhance community well-being and maintain high standards for our neighborhoods.
Budget Impact:
The demolition costs for these structures will be established through a competitive bidding process conducted after the adoption of the demolition ordinance. Please note that additional, yet-to-be-determined expenses for asbestos testing and abatement may also be required.
Options:
Adopt the ordinance and demolish the structures.
Abstain from any action and allow the structures to remain.
Defer any actions for a later date.
Recommended Action:
Staff strongly recommend that the Council adopt the ordinances authorizing the demolition of these structures. We will continue to engage with property owners up until the demolition is scheduled to begin, working to either bring the structures into compliance, secure voluntary demolition, or facilitate violation abatement with the help of a Community Development grant.
Should we achieve voluntary compliance, we will present a demolition rescission ordinance to the Council to remove the initial demolition order from the property deed. Prompt Council approval of the demolition ordinances is crucial, as it enhances our leverage with property owners and is the only means to stay or suspend demolition proceedings after an order has been adopted.
Attachments:
Aerial maps, violation photos, proposed ordinances, Scoring Matrix and PowerPoint presentation