CCP 10-15-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I Discussion .- The City has received numerous complaints regarding this property. The neighborhood has signed a petition (57 names and 38 addresses) requesting that the structure be razed or rebuilt (Exhibit G). The neighborhood in its petition states that: "We believe the condition of this house I constitutes a safety hazard, an eyesore and serious blight to this community. We believe this house would decrease property value and reduce salability for any property owner on Edgewater I Avenue." The neighbors have also expressed concern that if a home is rebuilt on the property that it is I designed in context 'Nith the neighborhood. The Edgewater Avenue neighborhood is one of the most affordable areas of the City. The average home value on Edgewater Avenue is $69,974 (Exhibit H). Whereas, the average home value built in the Arden Hills since 1994 is $240,952 I (Exhibit I). The Staff would not expect a home to be rebuilt on the lot which had a value of $240,000, but it is reasonable to assume that such a home if left only to market forces would be well in excess of the neighborhood average. The Staff has discussed this property with a I charitable organization as they would be most likely be able to rebuild a home which is in the context of the neighborhood, and has received positive feedback from that organization. The Staff is requesting the City Council to authorize the City Administrator to extend an offer to I purchase 1900 Edgewater Avenue for an amount not to exceed $17,300.00. The basic purpose behind the request to extend an offer to purchase the property would be the City's last attempt to I settle this matter without involving the already strained court system. The amount of the offer is based on the assessed value of the property as determined by Ramsey County (Exhibit J). If the .. offer is accepted, then the City could sell the property "as is" or remove the structure and then sell the property. The Staff has obtained a quote from Kev's Trucking in the amount of $9,555.00 for the removal of the structure (Exhibit K). I The Staff would conclude that if the offer to purchase the structure on 1900 Edgewater A venue is not accepted by the owner, then the only reasonable alternative left to protect the public's health, I safety, and general welfare from this Dangerous Building would be to condemn the structure, as provided for in the City Code, Section 6-18. Therefore, the Staff is also requesting City Council authorization to proceed with condemnation of the structure on 1900 Edgewater A venue, if the I offer to purchase the property is not accepted by the property owner within ten (l0) days of receipt of the offer. The cost of the condemnation would be assessed to the property. Findings I The Staff would conclude the following in relationship to the structure on 1900 Edgewater Avenue: I 1. The subject structure was extensively damaged by fire on or about September 15, 1993; 2. The subject structure was damaged to such an extent that the structural strength or I stability is materially less than it was before it was damaged and is less than the minimum requirements of the Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or I location; , The subject structure is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse J. .. and thereby injure persons or damage property; I