Joplin Board of Appeals Meeting – September 22, 2023

The Joplin Building Board of Appeals met on September 22, 2023, to consider multiple properties on the dangerous building list. The board heard from property owners, reviewed progress, and issued demolition orders for three properties where no owner appeared. Most items were continued to the next meeting on October 27, 2023, pending further progress.

Roll Call & Minutes

• Present: Mr. Brown, Mr. Windsor, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Tucker.
• Excused: Mr. Wagner and Mr. Wicklin (motion carried).
• Minutes: Approved by motion (Mr. Windsor/Mr. Tucker, all aye).

Property 404 South Mofford (Item 3048)

• Speaker: Tevalan Velasquez Celeuterio (owner, lives in Seattle).
• He stated he purchased the property in July, has not started remodeling, and is short of funds. He requested time to obtain permits and hire electricians/plumbers.
• Board members noted the property has been on the agenda for two meetings and emphasized the need for a concrete plan, budget, and permit.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report and possible demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Tucker, second by Mr. Duncan, all aye).

Property 301 South Windfield (Item 302)

• Speaker: Representative for owner Ippolito Lopez Garcia (via translator).
• Waiting for health department inspection and drawings; some work done (footings dug).
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Windsor, second by Mr. Brown, all aye).

Properties at 2611 & 2621 South Pearl (Items 3026, 3027, 3028)

• Speaker: Jeremy Bratton (representing the developer).
• Reported progress: signed waiver, structural engineer report obtained, civil engineer contract in work. Discussion centered on remaining requirements for a building permit: landscaping plan, stormwater detention (discharge to ditch), alley paving, trash enclosure, and missing plans for buildings one and three. City staff (Chris Parker – engineering, Tyler – planning & zoning) clarified deficiencies. The developer hopes to obtain a building permit and close on financing soon.
• A neighbor, William Coons, questioned why the demolition order was stayed; the board explained the process.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Tucker, second by Mr. Windsor, all aye).

Property 1010 East 20th (Item 3030)

• Speaker: Alan Burt (owner).
• Windows installed; interior work ongoing (permit issued). Disagreed with the building still being classified as dangerous, but board noted it meets definitions due to missing electrical/plumbing.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Tucker, second by Mr. Windsor, all aye).

Property 508 North Cox (Item 3029)

• Speaker: David (owner).
• Gutted interior, starting floor repairs. Contractor (People Plus Industries) has licensing issues (master electrician/plumber licenses not renewed). Owner plans to pull permit later that day.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Tucker, second by Mr. Duncan, all aye).

Property 911 West B Street (Item 3011)

• Speaker: Philip Fence (owner).
• Replacement windows installed; framing inspection pending; plumber and electrician lined up.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Windsor, second by Mr. Duncan, all aye).

Property 130 South Moffat (Item 2985)

• Speaker: Wendy Stevens (co-owner).
• Reported extensive interior demolition and progress on the garage apartment (separate address 609 W 2nd St). Noted her son-in-law co-owner died recently; probate may be required. Board clarified they expect progress on the main house, not just the apartment.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Tucker, second by Mr. Duncan, all aye).

Items 302 & 306½ South Connor (Items 2986, 2987)

• No owner present; city staff reported ongoing work with project manager.
• Outcome: Continued to October 27, 2023, for progress report/demolition hearing (motion by Mr. Tucker, second by Mr. Duncan, all aye).

Dangerous Building Hearings (New Cases)

Item 3046 – 221 South Pearl

• City witness: Jeff Oliver (building inspector). Photos showed fire damage; no owner contacted; certified letters sent to owner (Green Cell US LC) and lienholder (BBG Corporation). Published in Joplin Globe.
• Board found property dangerous under section 26-612(6).
• Outcome: Ordered demolished (motion by Mr. Duncan, second by Mr. Tucker, all aye).

Item 3047 – 2701 West D Street

• City witness: Jeff Oliver. Property is a detached structure with no sanitation facilities; occupied by a man (believed to be son of owner Ramona J. Couch). Title issues; property next door already demolished. Found dangerous under subsections 10, 12, 16, 18.
• Outcome: Ordered demolished (motion by Mr. Windsor, second by Mr. Tucker, all aye).

Item 3049 – 1107 East 34th Street

• City witness: Jeff Oliver. Fire damage; no owner contact; owner listed as Ann Gilliam. Published in Joplin Globe. Found dangerous under section 26-612(6).
• Outcome: Ordered demolished (motion by Mr. Windsor, second by Mr. Brown, all aye).

Other Continuations

• 1116 South Jackson (Item 3010): Continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Duncan, second Mr. Tucker, all aye).
• 1117 & 121 South Byers (Items 3015, 3016): Permit in place; continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Windsor, second Mr. Duncan, all aye).
• 1010 West Third (Item 3033): Continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Tucker, second Mr. Windsor, all aye).
• 810 West 17th (Item 3039): Permit in place; continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Windsor, second Mr. Duncan, all aye).
• 1202 South Jackson (Item 3050): Owner may sell; continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Tucker, second Mr. Duncan, all aye).
• 2131 Nashville (Item 3051): Occupied without utilities; continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Duncan, second Mr. Tucker, all aye).
• 1105 South Indiana (Item 3052): Potential buyer walked away; continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Tucker, second Mr. Windsor, all aye).
• 926 South Chestnut (Item 3053): Previously permitted then abandoned; new owner; continued to October 27 (motion by Mr. Duncan, second Mr. Tucker, all aye).

Other Business

• City staff noted the Bray residence is still occupied; demolition is on hold to allow owner to remove belongings, expected by end of September 2023.

Adjournment

• Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Windsor, all aye. Meeting adjourned.