6352-89 Confirm unsafe structure at 1467 Ridgewood

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Board of Building Standards Public Hearing February 13, 1989 He further stated that Agnes Koontz was the only person having an interest in the property at this time. At the recommendation of Counsel Hurman, Chairman Wright swore in Thomas Ockington as a witness. Hr. Ockington stated that the Building Department had a title search performed on 1467 Ridge- wood Avenue by the Stewart Title Company. Hr. Ockington gave the title search documentation to Secretary Owen for the permanent record. Hr. Ockington then stated that approximately two years ago the property was boarded up by the City of Lakewood, after vandalism had occurred. He said that the property had been vandalized further and that neighbors were constantly complain- ing. Hr. Ockington then stated that as a result of the Building Department's inability to locate Harry E. & Betty K. Reed, the Building Department decided to file an unsafe structure/public nuisance citation against lien holder Koontz. Counsel Hurman then asked Hr. Ockington to describe the property and when it was inspected last. Hr. Ockington stated that he inspected the property in 1984 and also on or about November 21, 1988. He stated that in November of 1988, the property was in poor condition and that much of the plaster had been taken out or had fallen down. He stated that heating equipment had been disassembled and that fire stopping materials had been removed also. He said that the interior was full of debris and the inside and outside was in an unsanitary condition. He further said that the Fire Chief, upon inspection, stated that the house was a fire hazard. Counsel Hurman then asked Hr. Ockington which standards of the housing code are being violated in order to make the building an unsafe structure. He asked if the interior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that a plumb-line passing through the center of gravity falls outside the middle third of its base. Hr. Ocking- ton responded, no. Hr. Hurman then asked Hr. Ockington if the building was a structure which, exclusive of the foundation shows 33% or more of damage or deterioration of the supporting member or 50% of damage or deterioration of the non-supporting enclosing members of outside walls Or covering. Hr. Ockington responded that over 50% of the property had damage of the non-supporting enclosing members. Hr. Hurman then asked Hr. Ocktngton if this structure had ~mprop- erly distributed loads'upon the floors or roofs or in which the same are overloaded or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used. Hr. Ockington stated that At was his opinion that the floors were still stable. Hr. Hurman then asked if the property in question had been dam- aged by fire, wind or other causes so as to have become eminently dangerous to l~fe, safety, or the general health and welfare of