Board asks staff to draft demolition-criteria guidance, seeks cost comparisons

Following the demolition approval, board members returned to earlier discussion about establishing clearer criteria for demolition decisions. Members said a formal set of criteria and an estimated cost comparison between rehabilitation and demolition would help make future decisions less subjective.

"I want it to be a non emotional decision," Chair Tom Pence said, pressing staff to bring numbers and objective standards. Board members suggested staff draft suggested standards and a template for comparing rehabilitation costs with demolition and rebuilding, and discussed public communication and calendar outreach tied to East McKinney homes and an upcoming reception.

Staff agreed to prepare materials for the board to review at the next meeting, including potential hardship definitions, steps staff would take when evaluating demolition requests, and rough cost-estimation guidance to aid deliberations.