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: September 22, 2025
RE:Title
Approve Ordinances for Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
781 Richardson Avenue District 7
820 Zadock Drive District 8Title
end
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
7,8
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 residential buildings deemed dangerous.
Background:
781 Richardson Avenue - PIN 9487-72-2821
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This vacant residential mobile home was inspected and condemned as dangerous on February 25, 2025 due to neglect. The structure needs significant repairs, steps, porch framing, walls, doors and door frames, windowpanes, window frames and sashes, roofing material, flashing and trim/fascia.
A notice of the hearing was published in the Fayetteville Observer on May 4, 2025, and the hearing was held on May 19, 2025, with the property owner attending.
Following this hearing, an order was issued on May 20, 2025, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 90 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. The property has had no emergency calls reported in the past 24 months. The property has accumulated five code violations. No City assessments and $2,148.89 in outstanding taxes. The property has a demolition score of 66.5 points on the matrix.
820 Zadock Drive - PIN 9477-44-0498
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This residential property was condemned as dangerous on December 17, 2024, due to fire. The structure needs significant repairs, ceiling and ceiling joists, walls, electrical wiring, boxes, switches, fixtures and devices, doors and door frames, windowpanes, window frames and sashes, roofing material, flashing and trim/fascia, roof structure and sheathing.
The first hearing regarding the property’s condition was scheduled for April 25, 2025, with the property owner failing to sign for certified service of the hearing.
A notice of the second hearing was published in the Fayetteville Observer on April 27, 2025 and the hearing was held on May 12, 2025, in which the property owner failed to attend. Following the hearing, an order to repair or demolish the structure within 90 days was issued and sent to the owner on May 14, 2025.
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.
To date, several repair attempts have been initiated but remain unfinished over the past eight months, with no inspections conducted. If voluntary compliance is achieved, we will present a demolition rescission ordinance to the Council to revoke the original demolition order. Additionally, there has been no confirmation of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program. The property has had 25 emergency calls reported in past 24 months. The property has four code violations, with no City assessments and $433.06 in outstanding taxes. This property has a demolition score of 92 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::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.
end
Attachments:
Aerial Maps, Violation Photos, Proposed Ordinances, Scoring Matrix and PowerPoint Presentation