Hays orders potential abatement at 206 E. 14th after repeated code cases

The City Commission approved a resolution 3‑0 on June 26 authorizing nuisance abatement actions at 206 East 14th Street if the owner fails to correct identified conditions within 10 days.

The action responds to repeated code enforcement activity; staff presented photos showing persistent items on the property, including material visible from the public right of way, and said there had been little or no corrective action after notices were issued.

Public works staff explained the city’s process: an initial mailed notice, a subsequent certified notice, and a final notice indicating the matter would be placed on a city‑commission agenda if not addressed. Senior staff said there have been roughly 25 prior code cases for the property dating to 2014.

“By definition of city ordinance, general nuisance ... if the pile's in a yard or in a trailer or in a truck, it's visible to the public from the public right of way. Therefore, by definition, is a nuisance,” a staff member explained when asked why material in a truck could be treated as nuisance material.

Staff noted the city prefers owner cooperation and will grant additional time if a verifiable plan and communication are provided, but absent action the city may contract to abate the nuisance and charge costs to the property owner. The commission’s resolution set a 10‑day abatement window tied to the approval date and passed with no opposing votes.