Hearing held on fire damaged house in Purdy
Pictured above, the property at 301 W. Highway C that was damaged by fire in 2015 and is now the discussion of possible condemnation. The residence is currently owned by Brad and Melissa Bunnell, who have made arrangements to have the residence either repaired or demolished by August 22.
June 5, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
During a special session of the Purdy City Council on Wednesday, May 22, the council held a hearing regarding the possible condemnation of a property located at 301 W. State Highway C in Purdy.
According to Purdy Mayor Bo Prock, the main housing structure on the property was severely damaged by a fire on or around July 4, 2015.
Prock explained that the council has been pursuing corrective actions to be made on the property since six months after the fire. According to Prock, city officials had difficulty getting in contact with the property’s owners, Brad and Melissa Bunnell.
Prock stated that he was advised by private legal counsel against the idea of taking immediate action and condemning the property as liens against the property could lead to unintended costs and liability for the city.
The city also filed a warrant against one of the owners of the property for failing to respond to a citation regarding the owner’s failure to maintain maintenance on the lawn, a violation of Purdy city ordinance.
During the hearing, city attorney Darlene Parrigon submitted an amended finding of facts that had been agreed to previously by the property owner’s legal council and Parrigon.
In the amended findings of fact, the owners stipulated that they were in fact the rightful owners of the property and had been informed numerous times of the city’s ordinances regarding damaged structures though the exact dates of those notifications were removed due to debate on their accuracy.
The owners agreed they were informed by the city that they had 10 days from the initial notification to either begin repairs or demolition on the structure and had not yet begun either. The owners also stipulated that there were to be hearings with the State of Missouri at some point in July regarding liens against the property.
Finally, the owners agreed to have the property either cleaned and repaired or demolished by August 22. If the goal is not met, the city will have the right to move forward with condemning the property. There was also discussion of the possibility of extending that date to accommodate a scheduled demolition that would fall after that date at the board of aldermen’s discretion.
Should the property become condemned by the city, they will have to right to act with imminent domain, effectively absorbing the property as a piece of public land owned by the city. Before this can happen, an appraisal would be done on the land and another hearing would be scheduled and compensation would be offered to the land owners. The owners would have the right to appeal this process.
Parrigon commented during the hearing, “In my opinion, this resolves all the issues between the city and the property owners and is a more expedient and least expensive way for the city to handle this.”
During open questioning on the matter, the property owner stated they plan to have the house itself demolished but keep the property in the family.
Parrigon also commented that the owners have agreed to come to Purdy Municipal Court on June 3. At this time, Parrigon expects that if the owners fully comply with the council’s orders regarding the demolition of the property, the city will drop the warrant for failing to respond to the earlier citation after the August 22 goal is met.
The Purdy City Council voted unanimously to approve these new findings of fact, effectively agreeing to the new terms agreed upon by Parrigon and the owner’s legal representation.
Vinnie Roberts
During a special session of the Purdy City Council on Wednesday, May 22, the council held a hearing regarding the possible condemnation of a property located at 301 W. State Highway C in Purdy.
According to Purdy Mayor Bo Prock, the main housing structure on the property was severely damaged by a fire on or around July 4, 2015.
Prock explained that the council has been pursuing corrective actions to be made on the property since six months after the fire. According to Prock, city officials had difficulty getting in contact with the property’s owners, Brad and Melissa Bunnell.
Prock stated that he was advised by private legal counsel against the idea of taking immediate action and condemning the property as liens against the property could lead to unintended costs and liability for the city.
The city also filed a warrant against one of the owners of the property for failing to respond to a citation regarding the owner’s failure to maintain maintenance on the lawn, a violation of Purdy city ordinance.
During the hearing, city attorney Darlene Parrigon submitted an amended finding of facts that had been agreed to previously by the property owner’s legal council and Parrigon.
In the amended findings of fact, the owners stipulated that they were in fact the rightful owners of the property and had been informed numerous times of the city’s ordinances regarding damaged structures though the exact dates of those notifications were removed due to debate on their accuracy.
The owners agreed they were informed by the city that they had 10 days from the initial notification to either begin repairs or demolition on the structure and had not yet begun either. The owners also stipulated that there were to be hearings with the State of Missouri at some point in July regarding liens against the property.
Finally, the owners agreed to have the property either cleaned and repaired or demolished by August 22. If the goal is not met, the city will have the right to move forward with condemning the property. There was also discussion of the possibility of extending that date to accommodate a scheduled demolition that would fall after that date at the board of aldermen’s discretion.
Should the property become condemned by the city, they will have to right to act with imminent domain, effectively absorbing the property as a piece of public land owned by the city. Before this can happen, an appraisal would be done on the land and another hearing would be scheduled and compensation would be offered to the land owners. The owners would have the right to appeal this process.
Parrigon commented during the hearing, “In my opinion, this resolves all the issues between the city and the property owners and is a more expedient and least expensive way for the city to handle this.”
During open questioning on the matter, the property owner stated they plan to have the house itself demolished but keep the property in the family.
Parrigon also commented that the owners have agreed to come to Purdy Municipal Court on June 3. At this time, Parrigon expects that if the owners fully comply with the council’s orders regarding the demolition of the property, the city will drop the warrant for failing to respond to the earlier citation after the August 22 goal is met.
The Purdy City Council voted unanimously to approve these new findings of fact, effectively agreeing to the new terms agreed upon by Parrigon and the owner’s legal representation.
