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Warsaw Code Enforcement discussed a pending demolition for a property at 2208 E. Durbin St., owned by Blake Pilcher, on Tuesday.
Building Inspector Rob Hurford stated the property has been in violation since 2016. Two years ago, the city was informed someone was living in a motorhome on the property and working out of a building that was in “bad shape.” The person eventually left, but the city received a complaint this year he had returned and was running a repair shop out of one of the buildings.
The police department would not remove the person because he had been there so long and “they felt that he had tenants’ right,” Hurford said.
The city asked Pilcher to have the person removed, clean up the property and demolish the buildings by Sept. 29. Hurford said the person and motorhome are now gone and much of the debris has been cleaned up, but the buildings have not been demolished. The property was also supposed to be secured with construction-grade fencing, however, the fence that was installed was not the correct type.
“Both buildings are in terrible shape,” Hurford said. “I think Mr. Pilcher agrees with that, that they do need to come down, they need to be demolished.”
Hurford requested a demolition order so the city can move forward if Pilcher does not complete the work. Pilcher would have at least 30 days to do so himself.
Pilcher, who was present at the meeting, stated he received a notice for noncompliance for fire code violations but was told by Fire Marshal Jeremy Williams there were no fire code violations with the property and that the notice was an error. He also questioned the construction-grade fencing requirement and said he was willing to change it.
Pilcher explained the person who returned to his property was not allowed to stay there and did not have his permission. He allowed the man and his son to stay in the camper for another two weeks while the man found another place to live; while noting the man is gone.
Pilcher stated the property has since been cleaned up, three roll-off dumpsters full of trash have been removed and Cary Construction will be coming in to do the demolition.
“We already have plans to demo it … I guess it’s a race if you guys are hoping to do it before I can get it done, but I’ve already got it all lined up,” Pilcher said.
Pilcher also said he would be represented by attorney Steve Snyder after the meeting. While looking at pictures of the property, Pilcher told Hearing Officer Tom Earhart and Building Inspector Angela Lundy the fence was down in one section so he could get through to work on the property.
“It does say we can’t even have anybody working there,” Pilcher said. “I’m not exactly sure how to work on it when their request was for us not to work there.”
Pilcher also said he didn’t know what code was broken in the first place. Lundy said for the record that it was a city ordinance violation for substandard property.
Hurford said he previously sent Pilcher a letter listing the problems and later explained what the city was looking for. He said he also asked Pilcher for a signed contract or payment to show he had an excavator arranged to demolish the buildings, but Pilcher was unable to provide that.
Pilcher requested a continuance because his attorney was unable to attend the meeting. Hurford said he wanted the demolition order in place in case Pilcher was not ready by Dec. 8.
After further discussion about the communication, notices and demolition timeline, Earhart said his decision to have the demolition order in place had not changed.
