Council members move forward with demolition plans
KINGWOOD — The owners of two of the properties Kingwood is condemning say they will demolish the structures.
“We’re making some headway,” Mayor Jean Guillot said at Tuesday’s council meeting.
In December, council sent letters to the owners of four properties, saying the city was proceeding with condemnation. City ordinance requires council to notify owners of the proceedings so they can request a hearing.
None of the property owners requested a hearing, City Clerk Michelle Whetsell said.
The properties are 110 Murdock St., 114 1/2 Chestnut St., 211 Jackson St. and 169 N. Sigler St. All pose public safety issues, according to the county health department, which did an inspection at the city’s request.
Guillot said the owners of 169 N. Sigler St. and of 211 Jackson St. said the buildings will be torn down.
There’s been no response from the owners of 114 1/2 Chestnut St., the mayor said, while the owner of the Murdock Street property is involved in legal action against a contractor she paid to demolish the structure.
“I think we just need to continue with the process,” Recorder Bill Robertson said. “Even though they’re coming up with excuses, we still need to continue with the process and go through with it. Because it never fails … we’re looking at the same houses a year later and have to start the process all over again.”
Council agreed.
Building permits
In other discussions Tuesday, council agreed to a new format for building permit applications that provides more information on the type of work being done and city ordinances.
As part of the update, Councilman Josh Fields suggested the ordinance be amended so a limit be put on how long permits are valid. Currently, they are valid forever unless no work is done for six months.
That will be discussed at the next meeting. The suggestion is that permits be renewed for a minimal cost. Wording is also being added that specifies contractors will follow state code.
Robertson suggested the ordinance be changed so commercial property owners can do non-structural, non-electrical work up to $2,500 without hiring a contractor.
He also would like to add wording about portable buildings, fences and signs to the permit ordinance.
Those items will also be discussed later.
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