City Government

07-24-2006 01:48 PM

City Council sets date for Larry Lacey appeal

By TIM BURLESON

GRANTS PASS, OR - Local businessman Larry Lacey will have his day before the Grants Pass City Council. Lacey is appealing the City's closing of the building he owns at 201-207 SW G Street for safety reasons.

At a workshop meeting today the City Council scheduled to hear the appeal on Wednesday, August 30th at 7pm in the Council Chambers. This will be a special meeting of the Council which normally meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. City Attorney Ulys Stapleton estimates that the hearing will take 2 to 3 hours.

Lacey filed his formal appeal with the City on July 19th. In his letter to the City, Lacey states that there was confirmation from an "Independent Structural Engineer" who verified the building was safe to enteron July 12th. His letter goes on to say: "On July 17th, 2006, another confirmation from an Independent Structural Engineer verified the building was safe to occupy. On this date, the City Building Official was present and verified the building was safe to occupy."

Stapleton responded with a letter to Lacey on July 21st which cites the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, Section 404.2, which says that no one can enter a building which has been posted as unsafe except to "repair, demolish or remove such building under permit."

Stapleton said today that the meeting will be conducted following the procedure for hearing appeals as required by the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. These procedures are similar to legal proceedings regarding testimony and examination of evidence, with each side allowed to call witnesses, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses and be represented by legal counsel.

Reach reporter Tim Burleson at 761-0195 or tim@grantspassclimate.com

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