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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1992 0108 CC SPC ITEM 08G /03,?(b\ itt ITEM s ` JINARK, � c M \o / 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93Q?ficoonj eF -61864 1 2. 9� ea of_ ��_ ACTION: ..:f!_✓'et II MEMORANDUM By7' TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Patrick J. Richards, Director of Community Development DATE: December 19, 1991 (City Council Meeting 1-8-92) SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT; UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDINGS BACKGROUND On August 14, 1991 the City Council received a staff report on the status of the Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Mitigation Program. This report indicated that one building owner was apparently unable to comply with the requirements of Ordinance 127. The City Council directed staff to arrange for the building owner to meet with the Community Development Committee in order to fully understand the difficulties faced by the owners of URM buildings. On September 16, 1991 the building owner's representative met with the Community Development Committee, Building Official, Community Development Director and several concerned citizens. Subsequently, the Building Official has provided the owner with information on engineering firms and with information on available financial alternatives for URM owners. At the conclusion of the September meeting the building owners representative indicated a willingness to complete the required survey and provide the Building Official with an official reply. The building owners have indicated the building has been vacated for reasons which are unrelated to the URM ordinance. They have no immediate plans to reoccupy the building. Ordinance 127 requires that the Building Official order the building vacated where compliance with the ordinance has not been achieved within the time limits set forth in the ordinance. After ordering the building vacated and where compliance is not achieved within ninety days the Building Official may order the demolition of the building. This ninety day period may be extended by the Council acting as the Board of Appeals. No limit is placed on the length of extensions which may be granted by the Council . 1 PAUL W. LAWRASON JR. BERNARDO M. PEREZ SCOTT MONTGOMERY ROY E. TALLEY JR. JOHN E. WOZNIAK Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Printed On Recycled Paper On September 16, 1991 the Building Official made an inspection of the exterior of the building and observed that the buildings exterior masonry walls are cracked in a manner that is characteristic of damage to a URM due to ground motion. This observation indicated that the building may have been weakened by previous earthquakes. The building is placed approximately two feet from one property line and only a few feet from the street. The parking area at the rear of the building was being used as a children's play area at the time of the inspection. Although the building has been vacated, it still represents a potential hazard to adjacent property and residents who use the spaces around it. It also represents a potential hazard to the public right-of-way. For these reasons, extensions of the ninety day limit should be considered with care and such extensions should not allow the indefinite delay of the repair or demolition of the building. DISCUSSION Ordinance 127 requires that buildings which are in violation of the ordinance be ordered vacated. The building has been vacated in any case for unrelated reasons. If the Council takes no action then the Building Official intends to issue an order to vacate and will do so during the month of January, 1992. The owners have the right to appeal within 60 days from receipt of notice to vacate. The Building Official will report back to Council in any case before considering any order regarding the demolition of the building. RECOMMENDATION Receive and file this report. CC\8JAN92 2