Austin Building and Standards Commission orders repairs and sets deadlines for multiple unsafe properties

The City of Austin Building and Standards Commission on May 27 adopted a series of repair orders and enforcement measures aimed at bringing multiple unsafe or fire-damaged properties back into compliance.

Chair Michael Francis opened the meeting at 6:31 p.m. and described the hearing process, then heard public comment from neighbors concerned about the property at or near 6700 Branchwood Drive who urged the commission to act for public safety.

On case CL2026-607812 (4302 Acropolis Court), code supervisor David Downing presented photographs and staff findings that the vacant, incomplete single‑family structure invites illegal dumping, graffiti and potential harborage for vermin. Owner Cader Joseph, who identified himself as a construction professional, told the commission he has active permits, a contractor and an inspection scheduled and asked the commission for more time to finish work. Staff recommended a 45-day compliance period with a $250-per-week civil penalty that would begin if compliance had not been achieved; commissioners discussed statutory limits and the ability to credit owner expenses against fines. The commission adopted staff’s findings and the recommended order as amended by the board; a copy of the order will be mailed to the owner.

On case CL2025-162262 (6803 Wentworth Drive), inspector Charles Edwards described fire damage to a fourplex and presented photographs documenting exterior and roof damage and posted notices. Owner Clinton Silvis and contractor representatives described a larger-than-expected scope, ongoing permit revisions and financing coordination with insurers; they asked for time to finish. After extended questioning about permits and proof of funding, commissioners debated extending the initial 45‑day deadline. The commission adopted staff’s findings and, after a friendly amendment during deliberation, passed an amended order setting an extended compliance timeline as recorded in the order.

The commission adopted staff’s recommended order for CL2025-149293 (9619 Meadowheath Drive), a boarded and fire‑damaged single‑family house reported in August 2025; staff had asked the owner to obtain permits and correct violations within the prescribed timeframe or face civil penalties. A neighbor called in to describe long‑term abandonment and urged demolition if rehabilitation proved infeasible.

For a cluster of cases at Cascade Apartments (1221/1222 Algarita Avenue; cases beginning CL20201416 and related files), code inspector Eric Pham presented photographs showing recurring rodent droppings, live rodents observed on glue traps, holes in exterior patios and deterioration of walkways and handrails across multiple buildings. During public comment, licensed social worker Chris Kraff and former tenant Heather Reyes recounted repeated reports to management, repeated city inspections confirming infestation, and the personal hardship caused by living with rodents. After discussion, the commission amended staff’s recommended schedule for certain units to a 30‑day compliance deadline for specified items and increased civil penalties for noncompliance to $2,000 per week for the affected orders; the amended orders passed by roll call.

On CL2026-056139 (717 East 12th Street), inspector Hayden Aston documented collapsed overhangs, a failing roof and graffiti on a commercial building and recommended demolition of damaged portions if not corrected; no owner appeared and the commission adopted staff’s findings and order authorizing required demolition and related remedies.

A returning case for 2303 Bend Ridge Trail (CL2021-088182) was presented as an aged matter dating to a 2018 gas explosion. Staff asked the commission to supersede the 2020 order, affirm accrued civil penalties ($16,057.14), and order repairs; Jorge Rocha, appearing for the owner’s family, said he had recently applied for a remodeling permit and requested time to prepare. The commission amended the schedule to a 90‑day compliance period in the motion adopted tonight and affirmed the penalties as described in the order.

The commission also discussed internal governance items, including a proposed resource binder to be kept at meetings and circulated electronically to commissioners, and plans for future staff briefings on neighborhood concerns and vacancy/evacuation procedures.

Votes at a glance

- CL2026-607812 — 4302 Acropolis Court (single-family, vacant): staff findings and order adopted as amended; owner to receive mailed copy of order. Compliance timeline amended in discussion. (Motion: adopted by roll call.)
- CL2025-162262 — 6803 Wentworth Drive (fire-damaged fourplex): staff findings adopted as amended; extended compliance timeline recorded in order. (Motion: adopted by roll call.)
- CL2025-149293 — 9619 Meadowheath Drive (fire-damaged single-family): staff findings and order adopted. (Voice/roll-call vote: passed.)
- Cascade Apartments cluster (cases CL20201416, CL2026-071423, CL2026-071426, CL2026-071428, CL2026-071429): staff findings adopted with amendments to compliance periods (some reduced to 30 days) and increased civil penalties up to $2,000/week for specified orders. (Motion: adopted by roll call.)
- CL2026-056139 — 717 East 12th Street (fire-damaged commercial): staff findings and demolition/cleanup orders adopted. (Motion: adopted by roll call.)
- CL2021-088182 — 2303 Bend Ridge Trail (long-running gas-explosion case): commission superseded prior order, affirmed accrued penalties ($16,057.14) and adopted an amended order giving the owner 90 days to pursue repairs. (Motion: adopted by roll call.)

What happens next

For each adopted order the commission will mail a copy of the decision to the property owner; staff will track compliance through required permits and inspections. Several orders include deadlines after which civil penalties will begin to accrue. Some property owners said they will pursue permits and financing; in several cases staff emphasized that expenses incurred to correct violations can be credited against accrued fines when properly documented.

A copy of each adopted order will be mailed to the relevant owners and recorded as required; staff will continue 30‑day follow-up inspections and will brief the commission at future meetings as cases progress.