Public officer orders 120-day repairs for damaged Piedmont Street house after owner says he's begun work

Public Officer Nicholas Bradshaw ordered repairs within 120 days for 2319 Piedmont Street on Sept. 25 after city inspectors described a damaged roof, exposed framing and missing rear-landing stairs that rendered the property unsafe.

Scott Elder, neighborhood codes enforcement manager, told the hearing the house is vacant and has visible rotting fascia, broken shingles and missing egress landings; staff recommended a 120-day repair order rather than immediate demolition so the owner could make the necessary fixes. Harold Beach, who identified himself as the property owner, said a neighbor's tree fell during a storm causing roof collapse, that he has cleaned out the home, and that he is ready to start repairs once he obtains the required permits. "Right now, I just want to get the roof repaired," Beach said.

Bradshaw found the structure out of compliance and ordered the owner to repair it within 120 days, with a warning that failure to take corrective action could result in placarding, vacating and city-initiated corrective action with cost recovery.