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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, July 20, 2009 Page 5 11. Public Hearings 12. Business Items (Action Items) a. Approve City Abatement for Code Violations at 3065 Sandy Hook Drive Permit Coordinator Munson reviewed the request for abatement as detailed in the staff report dated July 20, 2009; providing a visual update on the property as of today of this single-family property, with a building permit previously issued for remodeling the home; but currently all work having ceased and the property for sale. Mr. Munson advised that the home is tentatively sold with the prospective buyer intending to finish the project, but no guarantee to-date that the sale will be finalized. Mr. Munson suggested short-term abatement costs are estimated at $25,000. Staff recommended that the Community Development Department be authorized to abate the public nuisance violations at 3065 Sandy Hook Drive if repairs to the home are not substantially completed by September 15, 2009. Public Comment Mark Larson, neighbor at 3020 Sandy Hook Drive Mr. Larson expressed his substantial concerns with the proposed abatement, opin- ing that it would be "putting a band aid on a major wound." Mr. Larson alleged that there were additional interior structural issues not readily seen from exterior photos. Mr. Larson noted when the home had been occupied, its sump pumps were continually operating, which could be attributed to where the home had been constructed on the shores of Lake Owasso, too close to the lake with improper grading. Mr. Larson advised that other adjoining neighbors shared these con- cerns; and asked that the City Council delay any abatement action on this property to determine if a sale of the home to a responsible developer or someone inter- ested in a long-range solution to a serious problem came to fruition, or the indi- vidual currently controlling the property took action to complete renovations. Mr. Larson opined that this person, Mr. Larry Lee, was a sophisticated business man active in the real estate field, and knew he was sitting on this asset. Mr. Larson advised that he and other neighbors had toured the home with a realtor since it had been vacated, and there appeared to be a mold issue in the home. Discussion among Councilmembers, staff and Mr. Larson included rationale in the City stalling completion of the exterior renovations that would only further degrade interior issues; benefits to the neighborhood with delayed or immediate action; delaying action to provide incentive to any purchaser of the property as part of their liability rather than using public dollars; confirmation that Mr. Larson himself was not a prospective purchaser of the home; offers to-date on the prop- erty; and status of the construction of the dormer.