Council approves demolition order, camper permit

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council voted unanimously Monday night to direct the building inspector to remedy the unsafe condition and/or demolish the unsafe building located at 1507 East "C" Street.

City Manager Nate Schneider told the council Monday night that the city has been working with the owner of the property f0r some time, “but there comes a point in time when it becomes a public issue.”

The residential property was destroyed by a fire in December 2020 and city staff has been working with the owner since then, but “there hasn’t been a lot of movement,” Schneider said. The owner’s intent is to move forward with his insurance company. The approval by the council allows the city the option to demolish the building if nothing gets resolved, he said, with the city assessing a lien against the property or filing suit to recoup costs.

But that’s not what the city really wants to do, Schneider said, and the city would prefer the owner to take care of it. Demolishing a building is costly and Schneider cited the recent city demolition of a house on East First that cost $23,000, eating up most of the $25,000 that was set aside in the city budget for nuisance abatement.

Councilman Jerry Calvin commented that the abandoned property was probably not appreciated by the neighbors and recommended that something be resolved sooner rather than later. “It would be nice if we can put it on a short leash,” he said about the issue.

The council also approved unanimously a temporary, six-month camping permit for a camper to be parked in the backyard of a residential property, although Councilman Calvin expressed concerns about the sewer and setting a precedent for the future. Per city ordinance, the McCook City Council is the only entity authorized to issue a temporary permit.

The request came from Betty Kenner, owner of the property at 311 E. Fifth and Ronald Scharf, a contractor working on the property. Scharf, a cousin of Kenner who lives in Elwood, told the council that he’d like to live in his camper while he builds a house on Centennial Drive and also works on Kenner’s house part-time. He also told them he has another person working with him on the construction, has the necessary licenses and expects to be done with both properties in six months.

In response to a question by Mayor Mike Gonzales about what Scharf is doing about disposing water, Scharf said there is electricity and hook-ups for water and sewer. There is no bathroom in the house as of now but that’s what he is working to get done, Scharf said.

Councilman Calvin asked why he didn’t use Lazy L trailer court to park his camper and questioned the use of the city water/sewer. Calvin said he had concerns about a temporary six-month permit being requested indiscriminately by others and the proper use of hookups for water and sewer. “We would have preferred you come to the city beforehand,” he said.

Scharf said he wasn’t aware he needed a permit or of the trailer court but that the costs of parking at the court would be too much for him at this time.

Utilities director Jesse Dutcher said they are keeping an eye on the sewer/water hookups and city building inspector, Barry Mooney, said he is aware of the situation and that Scharf is “trying to do his due diligence” in putting in a bathroom at the Kenner property.

Schneider said city ordinance gives the council leeway in issuing a permit, in that the council can issue and remove a temporary permit at its discretion.

Councilman Calvin appear satisfied and complimented the house Scharf is building on Centennial Drive, as did Councilman Gene Weedin.

Kenner said her house on East Fifth has a colorful history, first built in 1880 by a lawyer from Chicago, who later moved to California and authored several publications.

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  • I live right across the street from 1507 East "C" Street. I do not appreciate Councilman Calvin making comments for me. At this time I do not find the property to be a nuisance. The owner is working on the house with his family to get it cleaned out. It would be nice if we can put councilman Calvin on a short leash.

    -- Posted by John T Herron on Wed, Nov 17, 2021, at 9:45 AM
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