City seeks building inspection for nuisance

The Sundance City Council is now in possession of a real estate analysis showing the existence of the house that has been identified as a nuisance on a Sewell Street plot does not improve the value of the land it sits on – and it may be worth more with it gone. However, access has not been granted to the interior for a building inspection, raising concerns about the idea of condemning it.

City Attorney Mark Hughes told the council on Tuesday that he feels it would be a good idea to obtain a formal evaluation that the property is a fire hazard before condemning it. Most of us would probably agree it is, he said, but it would be better to have an expert opinion.

“You bolster your case significantly, rather than relying on your gut feeling it’s a nuisance,” he said.

Fire Chief Gari Gill offered to perform a walk-around with the city’s fire marshal, Chris Tomford. Though it would not be possible to get inside, he said, there are windows to look through – some of which are broken.

Gill also commented that one corner of the house is in such bad shape that he feels sure it would not do well in an inspection. Mayor Paul Brooks cautioned that care should be taken when performing an inspection as there is an open well on the property.

Council Member Joe Wilson, however, wondered if it would be a better idea to call an inspector in from outside the city to remove any suspicion of bias.

Gill agreed and said he would contact the Wyoming Fire Marshall’s Office. Though that office generally prefers such work is completed internally, he said, the city is receiving pushback in this particular case and for that reason they are more likely to be willing to assist.