6352-89 Confirm unsafe structure at 1467 Ridgewood

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Board of Building Standards Public Hearing February 13, 1989 city. Hr. Ockington stated, yes. He noted that a letter to Agnes H. Koontz of November 22, 1988, from the Building Depart- ment (written by Hr. Ockington), listed the violations. Hr. Ockington stated that the letter to Hs. Agnes Koontz also ordered the building to be repaired or demolished. When asked by Hr. Hurman if any progress had been made to bring the building into compliance with code, Hr. Ockington stated, no. Hr. Ockington then stated that the letter of November 22, 1988, to Hs. Koontz had been given to Secretary Owen for the permanent record. Hr. Hurman then asked Mr. Ockington who had been notified of the violations? Hr. Ockington responded that the Cuyahoga County Treasurers Office'and Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts had been notified. Upon questions from Hr. Hurman, Hr. Ockington stated that Edward Janis also received a copy of the letter~ however, Hr. Ockinqton was not sure whether or not the letter had been sent by certified mail. Hr. Ockington did state to the Board that the letter had not been returned. He then stated that Harry E. & Betty K. Reed had been notified also but the letters had been returned. He further stated that letters to the Reed's and Hs. Koontz were sent certified mail. Hr. 0ckington stated that the certified letter to the Reeds was sent to their last known address, which was 1467 Rldgewood AVenue. Hr. Ockington then stated that photographs of the home were taken by the Lakewood Police Department in 1984 and photographs were also taken by the Lakewood Fire Department in November 1988. Hr. Ockington took photographs in January of 1989. Hr. Ockington stated that all the photographs fairly and accurately portray the condition of the property as it is today. He further stated that his photographs, taken in January 1989, show sections of the attic where doors had been removed and sections of the ceiling had been removed. He stated that these members had been removed since the inspection in 1984. He further stated that it was his opinion that the building was being made ready for a fire. Hr. Hurman asked if the building was being prepared for arson and Hr. Ockington stated, yes. Hr. Hurman then asked Hr. Ockington why he felt that the building had been prepared for arson. Hr. Ockington responded that by removing the doors in the stairwell and cutting out sections of the ceiling, this modification allows a clear chimney from the cellar floor to the roof line. In other words, there would be no fire stop. Hr. Forte then asked what exactly had been removed in the ceil- ing? Hr. Ockington stated that two ceiling Joists had been removed and dry-wall and plaster had also been removed. This makes for approximately a three foot square opening at the top of the stairs. Hr. Ockington then stated that those members had been sawn out. When asked by Hr. Hurman if he felt, in his experience with arson fires, was this a condition of an arson