Ordinance on removing abandoned buildings wins commission's OK

Run-down and abandoned buildings on El Paso County's eastern plains may soon drop - or burn - like flies under an ordinance adopted Monday.

Despite Commissioner Amy Lathen's concerns that the ordinance is too broad and may give neighbors a way to persecute one another, commissioners passed the ordinance 3-1. The ordinance allows the county to obtain court orders to enter and seize "unsafe" structures in unincorporated areas.

Once seized, removal of the buildings could include the "burn and bury" method employed in neighboring Lincoln County, and any metal could be scrapped and the proceeds deposited into the county's general fund.

Resident Maria Jindra presented dozens of photographs of abandoned buildings on the eastern plains. She told county commissioners that getting rid of such structures is imperative to the safety and health of the county.

While Lathen agreed some sort of ordinance is needed to clean up her district, she questioned whether the county should spend money to get rid of buildings when its budget is so tight it has to close offices on Fridays.

"I do believe that this ordinance is important for the community, and I think we have very narrowly defined this," said Commissioner Sallie Clark.

Clark and Commissioner Jim Bensberg encouraged Lathen to come back to the board with amendments to the ordinance.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0232 or carlyn.mitchell@gazette.com