Joplin Board of Appeals Meeting – October 25, 2024

The Joplin Board of Appeals met on October 25, 2024, to review progress on properties cited for code violations, hold dangerous building hearings, and determine next steps for demolition or repair. The board addressed 20 items, including extensions, dangerous building declarations, and releases. Key actions included ordering demolition for two properties, ordering repairs for one, and extending permits for several ongoing projects.

Consent Calendar

• Mr. Duncan was excused from the meeting by unanimous vote.
• The minutes of the August 2024 meeting were approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Item 3090 – 512 West 20th Street (Jason White): Permits approved, building boarded up. Owner estimated one year to complete. Continued to December 13, 2024, for progress report.
• Item 3087 – 102 South Sergeant Avenue (Paul Daniels): Original contractor backed out. City informed owner of free demolition via ARPA grant and provided application. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 2990 – 801–805 West First Street (Tom Don Grindle): Financing progress: letter of intent from Central State Bank for $1.15M, talks with Arvis and People’s Bank for remaining $1.3M. Project viability improved by $400,000 home fund and increased state tax credits. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3089 – 1919 Byers Avenue (Rachel Williams): Property under sales agreement; garage demolition complete. Board held a dangerous building hearing; city presented evidence of open windows, broken doors, and history of fires and overdoses. Owner testified to efforts to sell. Board ordered the property be secured (board up windows, doors, cellar access) within 30 days; if not completed, city will contract work and bill owner.
• Item 3084 – 1828 West 4th Street (Carol Wessel): Shingling, water line replacement, framing in progress. Permit in place. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3091 – 4020 South Main Street (property manager): Building permit pulled; contractor to start roof and front wall repair in November. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 2986 – 302 South Connor (owner): Fire suppression system delayed due to water tap; back door open. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3054 – 1624 West 4th Street (Matt Smith): Siding and roof complete; painting next. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3002 – 301 South Winfield Avenue (Annabelle Lopez): Siding and cement work nearly complete; permit expires October 26. Owner requested husband do plumbing to save cost; board emphasized need for licensed contractors. Permit extended 120 days; owner must provide contractor names. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3097 – 1217 East Second Street (Jack): Owner agreed to consent form for free demolition; took packet. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3056 – 217 South Pearl (Ruiz): Electrician contacted; permit expires November 2. Board extended permit 90 days. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3092 – 806 South Jefferson (dangerous building hearing): City presented evidence of fire damage, no utilities, dilapidation. Board declared property dangerous and ordered demolition, including outbuildings (unanimous).
• Item 3073 – 512 South Cox Avenue (owner): Electrical inspection passed; plumber working. Permit expired. Board extended permit 60 days. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3093 – 310 North Joplin (dangerous building hearing): Property vacant since 2021, extensively damaged. Owner Willie J Properties LLC not present. Board declared dangerous and ordered demolition, including outbuildings (one abstention due to business relationship).
• Items 3015/3016 – 117 and 121 South Byers: Active permit, framing inspections pending. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3033 – 1010 West Third Street: Permit expires December 4; progress slow. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3072 – 220 North Byers Avenue: Exterior nearly finished; permit expired. Board extended permit and continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3085 – 1616 South Pearl: New owner applied for permit. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3086 – 125 North Maple: Demolished by new owner. Released from agenda.
• Item 3094 – 2808 East 7th Street: Demolition pending; contractor ordered part. Released.
• Item 3095 – 1119 South Pitcher: Consent form signed, council approved funds, contractor pulled permit. Released.
• Item 3096 – 2117 South Harlem: Demolition complete. Released.
• Item 3098 – 910 East 7th Street: Commercial property with fire damage; owner not contacted. Continued to December 13, 2024.
• Item 3099 – 1519 South Pennsylvania: Fire damage, no contact with owners. Continued to December 13, 2024.

Key Outcomes

• Demolition ordered: 806 South Jefferson (unanimous) and 310 North Joplin (one abstention).
• Repair ordered: 1919 Byers Avenue – secure building within 30 days; city may intervene at owner’s cost.
• Permits extended: 220 North Byers, 512 South Cox (60 days), 301 South Winfield (120 days), 217 South Pearl (90 days).
• Properties released from agenda: 125 North Maple, 2808 East 7th Street, 1119 South Pitcher, 2117 South Harlem.
• All other items continued to December 13, 2024, for progress reports.

The board noted that 61% of fires in Joplin involve vacant dangerous structures without utilities. The next meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2024.