Austin commission orders demolition process for unsafe home at 1704 Westover Road

The Building and Standards Commission voted Thursday to adopt an order that can lead to demolition of the unoccupied home at 1704 Westover Road after staff and neighbors described long‑running, dangerous conditions.

Code supervisor Erica Thompson told the commission the case returned from March after repeated inspections and citations. Thompson said a search warrant executed last year exposed interior hoarding and debris piled “approximately 4 to 5 feet high,” and that follow‑up photographs taken May 22, 2026, show the original violations remain. “The structure is considered unsafe with substandard conditions,” Thompson said while walking the panel through the photo exhibits.

Scott Mata, a licensed master social worker with Austin Development Services, said staff repeatedly tried phone and text outreach and found the homeowner unresponsive to attempts to arrange repairs or services.

Several neighbors urged the commission to order demolition. Jennifer Emerson, who lives across the street, said the property “is a substandard dwelling that meets the criteria for demolition.” Neighbors described persistent rodent and wildlife problems, damage to adjacent yards, and a lack of reliable contact with the owner.

Commissioners asked staff about alternatives to demolition. Staff and legal counsel told the commission the agency prefers to give owners time to comply, that the order gives 45 days to obtain permits and complete repairs with penalties accruing thereafter, and that demolition remains an option if compliance is not achieved. Commissioner Brown moved to adopt staff’s findings and to order demolition per the motion’s timeline; Commissioner Musgrove seconded. The roll‑call vote recorded all aye votes and the motion passed.

Next steps: the order will be mailed to the recorded owner and other parties; the owner will have the statutory period to appeal, and if the order becomes final and compliance does not occur the city may proceed with demolition and seek to recoup costs as a lien against the property.

Why it matters: Staff described immediate life‑safety and public‑health concerns inside and around the property and neighbors described years of impacts on their safety and quality of life. The commission’s action starts an administrative timeline that could result in the city performing demolition and recording liens if the owner does not comply.