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: January 27, 2025
RE:
Title
Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
308 Currie Street District 2
822 Varsity Drive District 3
5202 Gavins Street District 4
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
2,3,4
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe & Secure Community; Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work & Recreate
Executive Summary:
Staff requests that Council approve demolition ordinances for two residential buildings that has been determined to be dangerous and one blight.
Background:
308 Currie Street - PIN 0437-23-4562
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 inspected and condemned as a dangerous structure on May 23, 2022. The building is in disrepair and requires structural repairs, including but not limited to Exterior steps need repair; Porch framing and flooring needs repair; Walls need repair; Doors and door frames need repair; Windowpanes need repair; Window frames and sashes need repair; Roofing material, flashing and trim/fascia need repair; Roof rafters and sheathing need repair.
The hearing regarding the property’s condition was held on June 22, 2022, with the property owner failing to attend. Following this hearing, an order was issued on June 28, 2022, 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 the present, no repairs have been made, and the property remains in an unsafe condition. Additionally, there has been no confirmation of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program. Over the past 24 months, the property has had no emergency calls. There are two active code violation cases on record, with $840.79 in City assessments and $835.00 in outstanding taxes. The property has been assigned a demolition score of 74 points on the city's matrix.
822 Varsity Drive - PIN 0428-97-5847
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 inspected and condemned as dangerous on October 11, 2022. The structure needs significant repairs, 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 October 6, 2024, and the hearing was held on October 18, 2024. The owner did not attend the hearing. Following the hearing, an order to repair or demolish the structure within 60 days was issued on October 21, 2024. 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, but the property has accumulated two code violation cases. Additionally, there is $557.87 in City assessments and $1,021.10 in unpaid taxes. The property has a demolition score of 89 points on the matrix.
5202 Gavins Street - PIN 0418-39-9707
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 May 22, 2023. The structure requires substantial repairs, including Exterior steps, Porch framing and flooring, Porch railings and columns, Stair railings, Doors and door frames, Window screens and screen doors, Windowpanes, frames and sashes, Roofing material, trim and fascia, Foundation wall and piers.
The hearing regarding the property’s condition was held on November 7, 2023, with the property owner attending. Following this hearing, an order was issued on November 8, 2023, 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 no emergency calls in the past 24 months. In addition, property has accumulated four code violations, with no City assessments and no outstanding taxes. This property has a demolition score of 74 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