Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director Planning & Development Services
Date:	July 18, 2012
RE:	785 Maple Street

Background

On June 5, 2012, Resolution No. 6975, was adopted by the city commission setting a public hearing date of July 24, 2012, to review staff’s findings concerning the condition of the principal building (house).  At that time, staff provided the following pictures dated May 1, 2012, and a memo dated May 29, 2012, for the city commission to review.

In addition to the structure violations, staff cited the property owner for exterior yard violations of the city’s environmental code.  On July 17, staff re-visited the property and made contact with Mr. Flint (property owner).  Staff verified there had been minimal improvements to the exterior yard conditions as the front, side and rear yards continue to be severely blighted.  

Furthermore, staff with Mr. Flint’s consent, inspected the interior of the house.  Staff confirmed that there had been no meaningful improvements to the structure.  Staff did note that the small wall opening on the east exterior wall had been enclosed.  Staff took the following pictures of the exterior yard conditions and the interior conditions of the house.

Staff has prepared Resolution No. 6980 for the city commission to consider adopting which will declare the structure unsafe and dangerous resulting in the repair or demolition of the structure by August 15, 2012.  Likewise, Resolution No. 6981 declares the exterior property conditions to be injurious to the health, safety, and welfare of the community and if adopted, orders the property owner to alleviate all conditions by August 15, 2012.

Action Requested

Adopt Resolutions No. 6980 and 6981 which will initiate the process of resolving all applicable city code violations located within the property.