Columbia property declared unfit for habitation, could be demolished

An administrative hearing was held at the Columbia City Hall Friday morning to determine if a Columbia property is to be considered a public nuisance.

Code enforcement specialist Sara Ferrill said there are more than a dozen violations at the 1004 N. 8th Street property.

“My recommendation is to demolish the property. There have been no utilities since Oct 2, 2000,” Ferrill said.

Property owner Paul Allaire or anyone with an interest in the structure was not at the hearing.

Officials said Allaire’s property has had previous inspections and property maintenance inspections in 2015 and 2016 and neither time has Allaire taken action to have the property up to code.

Ferrill said although there does not appear to be anyone living at the property, city officials stated they have received numerous reports of people entering the house.

“It is in the process to be declared a public nuisance. It has been declared unfit for habitation,” Ferrill said.

Enforcement specialists received authorization to search the property in April 2018 during which photos were taken and shown during Friday’s 10 a.m. hearing.

Jason Shelley, a neighbor to the property in question said the backyard is 10 times worse than the front and would like to see something done because it gets worse every year.

“I would just like to see this mess cleaned up in my driveway, that’s all his furniture. It’s been sitting there for two or three weeks now,” Shelley said.

Columbia prosecutor Robert Rinck said when you see the house, it speaks for itself.

“I’m going to ask that this structure be ordered to be demolished, before it actually falls down,” Rinck said.

The information Ferrill presented will now go to the director of community development, Tim Teddy, who will review the case with the evidence provided.

Teddy will then make a decision as to whether the house is considered a public nuisance.

Officials said those who believe they reside next to a property that may be considered a nuisance can contact City officials at 573.817.5050 or they may click here.