Council denies appeal, allows demolition of 1613 Cruson Street after inspectors cite unpermitted repairs

The Montgomery City Council denied an appeal seeking to block demolition of a house at 1613 Cruson Street, concluding that prior inspection findings and an earlier council resolution authorized demolition.

Attorney Clay Phillips, representing B and E Real Estate, told the council the owner had cleaned, secured and begun repairs, including installing a new roof and removing previous occupants, and that the owner planned to renovate and have a tenant by summer. City inspections staff responded that the initial notice and reinspection history supported the demolition resolution already adopted in May and that work performed since then had not been permitted or inspected.

Councilmembers said the pattern of dilapidation and late repairs after notice mirrored other problem properties in the district and moved to deny the appeal. The motion to deny carried unanimously.

City staff said the work performed without permits prevented staff from confirming compliance with city codes and ordinances; council directed staff to proceed according to the adopted demolition resolution and follow the city's code-enforcement process.