07/12/2017 MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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to attend, but was going to come and give an update, however, there was a standing demolition order on the property. Commissioner Steely interjected that he wanted to understand why the building has to be demolished. Cheri Bedford stated that a structural engineering firm assessed the building a few years back and its findings were that the building was structurally unsound. Commissioner Steely stated that didn't think the building needed to be demolished, and asked Stephanie Harris, City Attorney if she could give some insight on the process of why it had to be demolished. Ms. Harris stated the building had appeared many years ago through HPC, and the Building and Standards Commission and the City's proper legal process is has been long done. The building owner had his chance to be heard in District court, the Appellate court, and there is a valid demolition order on the building. The owner will not repair nor demolished the structure. The legal situation is City of Paris has right to demolish it. Commissioner Steely asked if the HPC could make a recommendation the City foreclose on the building and sell it to a prospective buyer who will rehabilitate it. Ms. Harris stated that the building would then be the property of the City of Paris, and she is not the one to speak on behalf of the City of Paris as to if this is the direction it is willing to go. After more discussion, Ms. Harris told the Commission they could make a recommendation to Council under their enumerated powers, stressing that it would only be a recommendation, to work with the owner to find a potential buyer and look for a possible solution to try saving the building, but the demolition order would most likely still be valid should a new owner purchase the building. Commissioner Steely asked if the commission could make a recommendation that the City make an acquisition of the property and make an attempt to get it into the hands of a potential owner. Ms. Harris stated there were legal issues that would mitigate against that idea. Commissioner Hider mentioned that a buyer would have to be financially able to restore the building. Commissioner Dux asked if a possible resolution could be to work with the current owner on some mechanism where a prospective buyer could purchase the building at a reasonable price based on the condition of the building, and the buyer would need to demonstrate the financial resources, ability, acceptable timeline, and due diligence to rehabilitate the structure, if City Council would be willing to work with the buyer and current owner to give some relief by reducing some of the accrued fine? Ms. Harris made the recommendation she, Chairman Dux, and Cheri work on a resolution to present to council with the language in the form of a recommendation as discussed, and bring it back to the commission the following month for review. Updates on Lamar Hospital; Code enforcement is dealing with the owners in court. Review of website- Commissioner Hider asked if the tab for the favade grant can be changed to reflect that the grant is only available in the commercial district to remove confusion to residential district owners. City Website for meeting minutes and agenda's Collective and standalone district, Municode for ordinance review Training on THC website Downtown TX.org- Commissioner Dux reminded everyone that this website works best on Chrome as a web browser.