Commission orders repairs for Mearns Meadow house across from elementary school

Courtney Britt, a code investigator with Austin Development Services, presented case CL2025-137508 for a single‑family residence at 1505 Mearns Meadow Boulevard. Britt said the case was opened in August 2025 after a 311 complaint, that officers executed an interior/exterior search warrant in September 2025 and installed emergency boarding, and that she later issued a notice identifying 14 structural violations including unsafe conditions, damaged skylights and a collapsed fence.

Britt reported that the property changed hands on Nov. 14, 2025, and the new owner, identified to staff as John New, had been contacted and reissued a notice. Britt said there were no permit applications in the system and that she observed no exterior repair activity to date. She also noted the house sits directly across from Catherine Cook Elementary School and that she had been monitoring the property more frequently because of the proximity to the school.

Staff asked the commission to adopt its findings and order the owner to obtain and finalize all necessary permits and correct the violations within 45 days; if compliance is not achieved staff proposed a civil penalty of $250 per week beginning on the 46th day.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the owner’s plans and security. With no property representative present, the commission voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommended findings and order. Staff will mail the written order and follow up on compliance.