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: June 23, 2025
RE:
Title
Adopt Ordinances for Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
107 Mary Street District 2
2217 Bragg Boulevard District 5
2443 Hope Mills Road District 5
end
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 that the Council approve demolition ordinances for one commercial and two residential buildings deemed dangerous.
Background:
107 Mary Street - PIN 0438-60-4097
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 July 19, 2024 due to fire. The structure needs significant repairs, porch framing and flooring, porch railings and columns, ceiling and ceiling joists, walls, doors and frames, electrical wiring, fixtures and devices, window panes, 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 March 9, 2025, and the hearing was held on March 13, 2025, with the property owner failing to attend.
A subsequent hearing was held on March 20, 2025, and again, the owner did not attend. Following this hearing, an order was issued on March 21, 2025, 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. The property has had one emergency call in the past 24 months. The property has accumulated 2 code violations. No City assessments and $192.83 in unpaid taxes. The property has a demolition score of 80 points on the matrix.
2217 Bragg Boulevard - PIN 0428-40-3452
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 dangerous on February 14, 2025. The structure requires extensive repairs, ceiling and ceiling joists, roofing material, flashing, trim and fascia, roof rafters and sheathing.
A notice of the hearing was published in the Fayetteville Observer on March 2, 2025. The hearing on the property’s condition was held on March 13, 2025, the owner did not attend. Following the hearing, an order to repair or demolish the structure within 60 days was issued and sent to the owner on March 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.
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 2 emergency calls in the past 24 months. The property has four code violations, with no City assessments and no outstanding taxes. This property has a demolition score of 65 points on the matrix.
2443 Hope Mills Road - PIN 0415-08-1358
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 by the Chief Building Official and Code Enforcement Manager on January 12, 2023 due to health and/or safety hazard rendering the building dangerous to life, health and other property. The structure requires substantial repairs, ceiling and ceiling joists, roofing material, flashing and trim/fascia and walls
A notice of the hearing was published in the Fayetteville Observer on March 9, 2025. The hearing on the property’s condition was held on March 13, 2025, the owner did sign for notice. A subsequent hearing was held on March 20, 2025, and the owner did attend.
Following this hearing, an order was issued on March 21, 2025, 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, however inspections show electrical alterations made with no issuance of permits. The property is not enrolled in the Blight Removal Program. The property has had 20 emergency calls in the past 24 months. In addition, property has accumulated five code violations, no City assessments and no outstanding taxes. This property has a demolition score of 77 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