Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
THRU:	Scott McCullough, Planning and Development Services Director
FROM:	Julie Wyatt, Code Enforcement Officer
Date:	October 14, 2009
RE:	2137 Tennessee Street, unsafe structure

The referenced property has been inspected and found to be in violation of City Code, specifically the 2007 International Property Maintenance Code. The structure (house) was significantly damaged by a fire on 8/08/09. The current condition of the structure is unsafe and dangerous and poses a nuisance and unsafe condition for adjacent properties and residents.  

The owner of record is:       Chris Miller

                                      PO Box 1201

                                      Lawrence, KS 66044   

At this time staff is requesting that a public hearing date be set for December 8, 2009. The purpose of the hearing will be to discuss the status of the property and structure and to consider adopting an order to remove or repair the structure within a specified time.  Failure of the owner to comply would result in the City taking action to remove the unsafe structure.

Attached are a chronology of contact our staff has had with this property and pictures of the subject structure.  Please let me know if you have questions concerning this.  Thank you.

Chronology – 2137 Tennessee Street

Aug 8 2009    The house at 2137 Tennessee Street is significantly damaged by fire.

Sept 28 2009  The City Finance Dept. received a check in the amount of $15,750 to be deposited into the ‘Insurance Proceeds Fund’.

Oct 5 2009     Code Enforcement staff was advised of the check received for the Insurance Proceeds Fund with relation to the structural fire at 2137 Tennessee. 

Staff conducted an exterior inspection and determined the structure to be unsafe and/or dangerous.

Oct 13 2009   Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manger, spoke to the property owner, Chris Miller. Mr. Miller said he did not know what he is going to do with the structure. He said he had gotten a bid for demolishing the structure and was waiting for a bid to rehabilitate the structure.