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Ordering the razing and removal of the structures at 718 LAFOND AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the August 3, 2011, City Council Public Hearing.
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WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections has requested the City Council to hold public hearings to consider the advisability and necessity of ordering the repair or razing and removal of a single story wood frame house located on property hereinafter referred to as the "Subject Property" and commonly known as 718 LAFOND AVENUE. This property is legally described as follows, to wit:
Chute Brothers Divisionno 5 Lot 10
WHEREAS, based upon the records in the Ramsey County Recorder's Office and information obtained by the Department of Safety and Inspections on or before January 10, 2011, the following are the now known owners, interested or responsible parties for the subject property: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp, 5000 Plano Pky., Carrollton, TX 75265-0043; Freddie MAC, c/o Realty Group Inc., 11660 Theatre Drive
#250, Champlin, MN 5531; Usset, Weingarden & Liebo, 4500 Park Glen Road #300, Minneapolis, MN 55416; Frogtown Neighborhood Association; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections has notified the known owners, interested or responsible parties of the "Order to Abate Nuisance Building(s) pursuant to Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 45; and
WHEREAS, this order informed the interested or responsible parties that they must repair or raze and remove the structures(s) located on the Subject Property by May 31, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the enforcement officer posted a placard on the Subject Property on May 2, 2011 declaring this building(s) to constitute a nuisance condition subject to demolition; and
WHEREAS, this nuisance condition has not been corrected and the Department of Safety and Inspections requested the City Clerk schedule public hearings before the Legislative Hearing Officer and the Saint Paul City Council; and
WHEREAS, the interested and responsible parties have been served notice in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code of the time, date, place and purpose of the public hearings; and
WHEREAS, a hearing was conducted before the Legislative Hearing Officer of the City of Saint Paul City Council on July 12, 2011 at which time time staff put the following information into the record:
1. This is a one-story wood frame single family dwelling on a 4,792 sq. ft. lot. It has been vacant since May 19, 2006;
2. The curent property owner is Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;
3. There were 14 Summary Abatement Notices since 2006 and 15 Work Orders for garbage/rubbish; boarding/securing/ tallgrass/weeds; and snow/ice;
4. On April 25, 2011, an inspection of the building was conducted, a list of deficiencies which constitute a nuisance condition was developed, and photos were taken. An Order to Abate a Nuisance Building was posted on April 29, 2011 with a compliance date of May 31, 2011. As of this date, the property remains in a condition which comprises a nuisance as defined by the Legislative Code;
5. The Vacant Building registration fees were paid by assessment on July 1, 2010. The fees for 2011-2012 went to assessment on June 20, 2011. Taxation has placed an estimated market value of $15,300 on the land and $11,300 on the building;
6. A Code Compliance Inspection was conducted on September 16, 2010. The $5,000 performance bond has not been posted;
7. Real Estate taxes are current;
8. Code Enforcement officials estimate the cost to repair the structure to be between $40,000-50,000 and the cost to demolish to be between $10,000-12,000. DSI recommends removal within 15 days;
9. Heritage Preservation staff (HPC) reported this is a 1-1/2 story wood frame property located in the Frogtown neighborhood. It is within the potential Frogtown Historic District and in the Legacy Survey Area. Alterations include four additions between 1890-1899, an enclosed front porch, vinyl siding, and dormers. It has lost a lot of individual integrity. HPC staff would allow for demolition; and
WHEREAS, after reviewing testimony and evidence, the Legislative Hearing Officer made the recommendation to approve the request to order the owners, interested or responsible parties to make the Subject Property safe and not detrimental to the public peace, health, safety and welfare and remove its blighting influence on the community by razing and removing the structure in accordance with all applicable codes and ordinances which is to be completed within fifteen (15) days after the date of the Council Hearing; and
WHEREAS, a hearing was held before the Saint Paul City Council on August 3, 2011, and the testimony and evidence including the action taken by the Legislative Hearing Officer was considered by the Council; Now, Therefore, Be It
RESOLVED, that based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the above referenced public hearings, the Saint Paul City Council hereby adopts the following Findings and Order concerning the Subject Property at 718 LAFOND AVENUE:
1. The Subject Property comprises a nuisance condition as defined in the Saint Paul Legislative Code;
2. That costs of razing and removal of this building(s) is estimated to exceed $5,000;
3. That there now exists and has existed multiple Housing or Building Code violations at the Subject Property;
4. That an Order to Abate Nuisance Building(s) was sent to the then known owners, interested and responsible parties to correct the deficiencies or to raze and remove the building(s);
5. That the deficiencies causing this nuisance condition have not been corrected;
6. That the Department of Safety and Inspections has posted a placard on the Subject Property which declares it to be a nuisance condition subject to razing and removal;
7. That this building(s) has been routinely monitored by Department of Safety and Inspections Vacant/Nuisance Buildings staff; and
8. That the known interested parties and owners are as previously stated in this resolution and that the notification requirements of Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 45 have been fulfilled; And, Be It
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby makes the following order:
1. The above-referenced owners, interested or responsible parties shall make the Subject Property safe and not detrimental to the public peace, health, safety and welfare and remove its blighting influence on the community by razing and removing the structure in accordance with all applicable codes and ordinances. The razing and removal of the structure must be completed within fifteen (15) days after the date of the Council Hearing;
2. If the above corrective action is not completed within this period of time, the Department of Safety and Inspections is hereby authorized to take whatever steps are necessary to raze and remove this structure, fill the site and charge the costs incurred against the Subject Property pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code;
3. In the event the building is to be razed and removed by the City of Saint Paul, all personal property or fixtures of any kind which interfere with the razing and removal shall be removed from the Subject Property by the owners or responsible parties by the end of this time period. If all personal property is not removed, it shall be considered to be abandoned and the City of Saint Paul shall remove and dispose of such property as provided by law; and
4. It is further ordered that a copy of this resolution be mailed to the owners, interested and responsible parties in accordance with Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.