Commission adopts order for unsafe home at 1802 Cedar Ave; owner not present

The Building and Standards Commission approved staff’s proposed findings of fact and the recommended order for the residential property at 1802 Cedar Avenue.

Inspector Michael Larner described an occupied single‑family home with a long enforcement history that staff classified as an attractive nuisance with unsafe and dangerous conditions, including a leaning porch, rotted ramp and railing, missing siding, exposed wiring and a yellow placard indicating a hazardous building after a fallen tree incident. Larner said the case originated from a 311 complaint in June 2025 and that multiple notices, inspections and an administrative citation followed; the property, listed to James P. Stevens Jr., did not have active permits sufficient to correct the cited violations.

Staff requested the commission admit exhibits (photographs 2A–2J) and adopt findings that would require the owner to obtain and finalize permits, demolish unsafe portions and request inspections within the compliance timeframe identified in the order. Staff told the commission that on the 46th day after the mailed order, the code official may be authorized to proceed with demolition and to assess expenses against the property if compliance has not been achieved.

No representative appeared for the property. A commissioner moved to adopt staff’s proposed findings and recommended order in full; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the order by voice vote with all commissioners recorded as aye.

The commission directed staff to mail a copy of the order to the property owner and to pursue the enforcement steps described in the staff recommendation if the owner does not meet the compliance requirements.