Joplin Board of Appeals Meeting - June 23, 2023
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Joplin Board of Appeals Meeting - June 23, 2023
The Joplin Board of Appeals met on June 23, 2023, to review progress on numerous properties, conduct dangerous building hearings, and issue demolition orders. The meeting began with roll call, approval of minutes, and progress reports from property owners, followed by a series of dangerous building hearings for properties showing no significant progress. Several properties were continued to the next meeting, while one was released due to completed demolition.
Consent Calendar
- Motion to excuse board member Tucker passed unanimously.
- Minutes from the previous meeting approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Donna Bray (217 N. Gray): Bray testified that she has lived in the home for 40 years, works on it daily (6–8 hours), has acquired materials, and is struggling with health and finances. She stated that contractors told her the house is worth fixing and that she feels singled out. A signed neighbor letter was submitted urging demolition due to the property's condition.
- Thomas Waters (City of Joplin Community Development): Testified that after contacting several agencies, no funding programs could cover the scale of repairs needed at 217 N. Gray. The maximum available is $25,000 from Habitat for Humanity or ESC, but the house likely requires more.
- Chuck Thompson (2119 E. Manitou): Appeared on behalf of the owner John Osborne, who is disabled. He stated that the property was damaged by fire and that they are waiting for insurance settlement.
Discussion Items
Progress Reports (All continued to July 28 unless noted)
- 801–805 W. First St. (Cleveland Apartments): East wall rebuilt, two-thirds of roof on. Continued to August 25 for progress and demolition hearing.
- 10 E. 20th St.: Windows ordered; half broken/wrong. Waiting on building permit. Continued to July 28.
- 302 & 306½ S. Connor (Blue Shutter Investments): Window installation set for Monday; exterior work expected in two weeks. No progress on 306½ foundation. Continued to July 28; owner asked to bring a schedule.
- 117 & 121 S. Byers: Roof on; awaiting permit for mechanical plans. An architect is drawing plans. Continued to July 28.
- 129 S. Patterson: Exterior siding installed, drywall in progress. Owner expects to finish by next meeting. Continued to July 28.
- 301 Winfield: Roof work delayed due to husband’s car accident; two windows installed. Owner plans to keep stucco. Continued to July 28.
- 217 N. Gray (see Dangerous Building Hearings)
Dangerous Building Hearings
- 217 N. Gray (Item 2968): City inspector Jeff Oliver testified that the building meets several dangerous building criteria (subsections 4,6,10,12,18 of §26-612). Photos from 2021 and June 21, 2023 showed deterioration. Oliver noted minimal progress in two years. Board voted unanimously to declare it a dangerous building and order demolition (including outbuildings). Owner Donna Bray said she will appeal.
- 508 N. Cox (Item 3029): Oliver testified that the building has been abandoned, windows removed, no progress. Owner David Latham not present. Declared dangerous under subsections 4,7,10,12,18,19; demolition ordered unanimously.
- 109 S. Forest (Item 3031): Owner not located; notice published. Structure has missing siding, roof gone, back wall bowing. Declared dangerous under subsections 4,6,12,18; demolition ordered unanimously.
- 208 S. Oliver (Item 3036): Fire-damaged; owner contacted but no progress since February 2023. Camper occupants moved on. Declared dangerous under subsections 6,10,12,15; demolition ordered unanimously.
- 112–114 N. Byers (Item 3037): Fire-damaged; owner (Colorado) contacted and aware of hearing. Declared dangerous under subsection 6; demolition ordered unanimously.
Other Business (continued to July 28 unless noted)
- 3615 S. Range Line – Continued, attorney negotiations ongoing.
- 130 S. Moffitt – Continued; owner listed property for sale.
- 1116 S. Jackson – Permit in place, progress being made. Continued.
- 911 W. B St. – Loan holder contacted; permit old. Continued with warning.
- 822 S. Byers – Property sold; closing expected. Continued.
- 430 N. Byers – Released due to completed demolition.
- 2611/2617/2621 S. Pearl – Plans submitted, not yet approved. Continued.
- 1010 W. Third, 302 & 304 S. Gray – New owner plans rehab. Continued.
- 810 W. 17th – Permit pulled. Continued.
- 1620 S. Wall – Fire-damaged. Continued.
- 1101 S. Jackson – Fire-damaged; owner overseas. Continued (board member recused).
Key Outcomes
- Demolition orders issued for 5 properties: 217 N. Gray, 508 N. Cox, 109 S. Forest, 208 S. Oliver, and 112–114 N. Byers. All votes unanimous.
- Release of 430 N. Byers from the agenda due to completed demolition.
- Continuances to July 28, 2023 for all other ongoing items, except Cleveland Apartments (continued to August 25, 2023).
- Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
We'll go ahead and call the uh June Board of Appeals meeting to order. First order of business is roll call. Mr. Brown. Mr. Windsor. Present. Mr. Wagner. Here. Mr. Duncan? Here. Mr. Tucker. Mr. Wicklin. Here. We have a motion to excuse Mr. Tucker. I'll make a motion. Second. Motion by Mr. Windsor, seen by Mr. Brown that Mr. Tucker be excused. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed. Motion carries. Has everyone had a chance to review the uh minutes? Sure. Does anyone see anything needs to be uh modified or changed? We have a motion. Motion to uh minutes second motion by uh Mr. Windsor seconded by Mr. Duncan that I don't that the uh minutes be approved. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. If you could come on up to the podium and tell us uh which project you're here to speak on. Morning. Hey there, Cleveland Apartments 801 through 805 uh West First Street. Can you tell us your progress since the last meeting? Yeah, since the last meeting, we have uh re uh position that east wall, it's completely rebuilt, tore down, rebuilt, and then um I don't know if you guys have seen it recently, but you know, two-thirds of the roof is on, but on that east building, because they had to rebuild that wall and rebuild the whole floor and this you know the structure that attaches to the wall, that's why the the third roof has not um finished is because that's but all that's been done. Basically everything to get continue the roof there has been done since last meeting. Any questions or comments? I think we had this one on a 60-day rotation. Is that okay to keep it on 60? I would love that.
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