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: November 24, 2025
RE:Title
Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
827 E. Orange Street - District 2
4714 Ashton Road - District 5
Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
2,5
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe & Secure Community
Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work & Recreate
Executive Summary:
Staff requests Council approval of demolition ordinances for two residential buildings identified as Dangerous.
Background:
827 E. Orange Street PIN: 0437-59-7316
This vacant residential structure was condemned as dangerous on April 30, 2025, due to fire. The City Inspector cited major repair needs: floor framing and flooring, ceiling and ceiling joists, walls, doors and frames, windowpanes, frames and sashes, roofing material, flashing, trim and fascia, roof rafters and sheathing.
The hearing was held on August 28, 2025, and the property owner was present.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on September 2, 2025, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information on programs available through the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help cover repair or demolition expenses.
As of today, there is no record of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and the property has not been brought out of its condemned status.
There have been three emergency calls related to the property in the past 24 months. The property has 11 code violations, no City assessments, and $884.12 in outstanding taxes. It holds a demolition score of 81.5 points on the matrix.
4714 Ashton Road PIN: 0416-32-2823
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This vacant residential structure was inspected and condemned as dangerous on February 13, 2023, due to fire. The structure requires repairs to floor framing and flooring, ceiling and ceiling joists, walls, doors and frames, roofing material, flashing, trim and fascia, roof rafters and sheathing.
A hearing notice was published in The Fayetteville Observer on August 17, 2025. The hearing was held on August 29, 2025, but the property owner failed to attend.
An order was issued on September 2, 2025, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice also included information about the City’s Economic & Community Development Department and available programs to assist with repair or demolition costs.
To date, there has been no enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and no repairs have been made. The property remains in its condemned state. Over the past 24 months, there have been one emergency call related to the property. It has accumulated two code violations, no City assessments, and $1,064.74 in outstanding taxes.
This property has a demolition score of 74 points on the matrix.
Issues/Analysis:
These substandard properties contribute significantly to neighborhood blight and public nuisance, directly undermining the City’s Strategic Operating Plan-specifically Goal 1, which prioritizes community safety and neighborhood quality.
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::Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council adopt the ordinances authorizing demolition of these structures. We will continue to engage with the property owners up to the scheduled demolition date, offering opportunities for voluntary compliance, self-demolition, or grant-supported abatement through the Community Development Department.
Should a property come into compliance voluntarily, staff will present a demolition rescission ordinance to Council to formally remove the order from the property deed.
Prompt approval of the demolition ordinances is essential, as it enhances our leverage with property owners and is the only available mechanism to stay or suspend demolition proceedings once an order has been adopted.
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Attachments:
Aerial Maps, Violation Photos, Proposed Ordinances, Scoring Matrix and PowerPoint Presentation