Yukon council orders demolition of deteriorated house at 24 Cedar Avenue

The Yukon City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to declare the house at 24 Cedar Avenue a public nuisance and directed city staff to demolish the structure and clear the lot, then pursue recovery of costs through a lien if necessary.

The action followed a public hearing in which property owner Ariatna Sible told the council the house has been in disrepair for years and that she cannot afford repairs or demolition after her husband’s death 18 months ago. “I don't have the money to fix it, and I also don't have the money to demolish myself,” Sible said during the hearing.

The council framed the motion under Chapter 54 of the city code, citing Section 54-2-15 and the demolition authority in Section 54-3. Council Member Ronnie Zimmerman moved the measure and it was seconded; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from Vice Mayor Jeff Wooten, Council Member Shelley Selby, Council Member Adam Shriver, Council Member Ronnie Zimmerman and Council Member Bridal Gilmore. The council directed the city clerk to pursue recovery of costs and the treasurer to place any recovered funds into the original appropriated fund.

Mayor and staff emphasized that the demolition order is intended to remove a structure the city described in the hearing as posing “grave and immediate danger to the public peace, health, safety, morals, or welfare.” Sible told the council she would accept a city-demolition with a lien placed on the property rather than face code enforcement penalties.

The council closed the public hearing before the vote and provided the owner an opportunity to speak during the hearing portion of the meeting. No timeline for demolition was specified on the record; council instructions were to have staff proceed as quickly as possible in accordance with the cited code sections.

The council’s action authorizes staff to file the required notice in the county clerk’s office and to place the cost recovery into the appropriate city fund.