Greenwood panel pauses demolition order for 1207 Dusty Trail to allow pending sale, sets firm timelines

The Greenwood Advisory Planning Commission voted unanimously March 9 to modify a demolition order for the residence and accessory structure at 1207 Dusty Trail, staying the order so long as the property closes by March 20 and the buyer files permit applications promptly.

Commissioners reached the decision after Greenwood Building Commissioner Ken Seals presented a packet of exhibits — including inspection notes and photos dating to 2019 and a recent site photo from Feb. 23, 2026 — and concluded the structures met the municipal definition of "unsafe" under the city's code (section 7-30) because of prolonged exposure, saturated sheathing and missing roof components. "We have a property that has been exposed to the elements; quite frankly an eyesore neighborhood," Seals said, reading the condition evidence into the record.

The property's owner, Lewis Puffles, told the commission his contractor took $70,000 and abandoned the job, leaving the house partly rebuilt and stalled through a prolonged divorce. "He took off with the $70,000," Puffles said. He said a buyer is under contract and the realtor, Clark Rehme, presented an accepted purchase agreement and said the buyer had delivered a $500 earnest-money cashier's check to title.

Realtor Clark Rehme said the buyer had already retained a structural engineer and that the parties hoped to close quickly. "We have an accepted purchase agreement," Rehme said, asking the commission to delay a demolition so the buyer can begin rehabilitation.

After extended questioning about achievable milestones, the commission adopted a motion (mover: Commissioner Stembaugh; second: Mr. Milvarn) finding the buildings unsafe but modifying the building commissioner's Feb. 23 demolition order so that: (1) the demolition order will be stayed if the property closes on or before March 20; (2) following closing the new owner must submit complete applications for required permits within 30 days of the closing date; and (3) once issued the permitting timeline and the requirement to proceed diligently are governed by Greenwood's municipal code (45 days to begin work and permit revocation rules after 90 days of inactivity). The motion also directed the city attorney to prepare findings of fact and a modified order for adoption at the next regular commission meeting. The motion carried 8-0.

The commission emphasized that the modification is conditional: if the sale does not close by March 20 or the specified steps are not taken, the original demolition order will automatically proceed. Building staff said a complete application that meets state-adopted building codes typically can be reviewed and have a permit issued within three to seven days, but that the 30‑day filing deadline gives the commission a measurable first step to verify intent to rehabilitate.

Next steps: the city attorney will draft findings and the modified order for formal adoption; the stay will end automatically if the closing or filing deadlines are not met.