Title
Appeal of Special Tax Assessment for 758 6th St. E for Project #: VB1104, Assessment #: 118009 in Ward 7
Property Address
Legislative Hearing Officer Recommendation
Waive VB fee for 90 days.
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Cost: $1100.00
Service Charge: $135.00
Total Assessment: $1,235.00
Gold Card Returned by:
Type of Order/Fee: VB Fee
Nuisance: Unpaid VB Fee
Date of Orders:
Compliance Date:
Re-Check Date:
Date Work Done:
Work Order #:
Returned Mail?:
Comments: VB File opened on 9/29/10 (Cat 2)
History of Orders on Property:
10/05/2010 : 10/05/2010 Garbage Rubbish WO created: PA 10-905825
Remove wood, brush, debris, plaster, lathe and metal from the yard, near the SE end of the house.
10/05/2010 : 10/05/2010 Tall Grass WO created: PA 10-905826
Cut tall grass and weeds throughout the property.
Legislative Hearing Notes (if any)
Fr. John Cavin, Deacon, Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of Christ and Mr. Avgulov, appeared.
Inspector Yannarelly reported that 758 6th Street is a Category 2 Vacant Building; the file was opened on September 29, 2010. A Vacant Building fee of $1,100 was assessed with a service charge or $135 for a total of $1,235. A Summary Abatement was sent out with no compliance. Two (2) Word Orders were done on the property on October 5, 2010 when the Vacant Building file was opened. A referral was received from Inspector Robinson in Code Enforcement that the property was vacant and had dilapidated siding, roof, soffits, fascia, paint, basement windows, rotting floors, etc. with tall grass and weeds throughout with garbage and rubbish. They plastered it with Vacant Building signs and sent out a Vacant Building Registration Notice to the ownership.
Fr. Cavin replied that they received a public hearing Notice (didn't have paperwork with). His boss, Priest John, tried to contact various people about this, including Ed Smith, Jeff Hawkins, left a message with Rich Singerhouse - trying to talk with him to get a new inspection. We have had people living there. It was in the process of being fixed up. The property belongs to the church; is not a rental property, but a place for people who need a place to live. People were living there, off and on, during 2010. Mr. Yannarelly stated that if it is not owner occupied, it should have a Certificate of Occupancy from the Fire Department, which it currently doesn't have. If the building is being occupied, it is being occupied illegally. Fr. Cavin responded that no one has been living there since the Notice was posted on the front door. Fr. John questions why he didn't get any answers when he tried to contact people; and why he didn't get a meeting when he asked for that - he tried to get someone to come out while he was present.
Mr. Yannarelly explained that a Category 2 Vacant Building rating means that it has multiple deficiencies that need to be brought up to Code before it can be re-occupied. It means that a Code Compliance Inspection ($426) is necessary to discover what all needs to be done and then all of those deficiencies need to be remedied in order for it to be occupied. Fr. Cavin said that he hadn't been told that the church was notified about deficiencies. Mr. Yannarelly stated that a Notice had been sent out to the church saying that enclosed is a Registered Vacant Building Form, please return it; and what needs to be done before it can be re-occupied. Fr. Cavin noted that it had been broken into since the Notice was placed on the front door. Mr. Yannarelly continued to explain that the City will send out four (4) inspectors, who will develop a list of things that need to be remedied. When those things are taken care of, the City will issue a Code Compliance Certificate, then, the church needs to get the Fire Marshal's approval and the house can again be legally occupied.
Mr. Avgulov asked if it were possible to get the VB fee removed; it's a monastic community without much money. Mr. Yannarelly responded that financial hardship is not something the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) takes into account; although, the church could take it to the City Council public hearing. The City Council has the authority to change the 0decision.
Ms. Vang asked if any of the work had been done. Fr. Cavin responded that it had been cleaned-up immediately.
Mr. Essling found that this house is in an historical district which means that any work done has to be approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC); it appears to be the Henry Bueckel house. Any permit work will be automatically referred to HPC.
Mr. Yannarelly noted that Ms. Moermond may divide the Vacant Building fee in half if the Code Compliance Inspection can be done and deficiencies remedied within 90 days.
Ms. Vang will recommend waiving the Vacant Building fee for 90 days.