Saturday, March 17, 2012

Beaumont Residents Sue City To Save Subpar Homes From Wrecking Ball

In Jefferson County, Texas, The Southeast Texas Record reports:
  • A Beaumont man claims he faces the prospect of losing his home because it is scheduled for demolition. He is pinning his restoration hopes on a requested court order.


  • Frank Flores filed a lawsuit Feb. 23 in Jefferson County District Court against the city of Beaumont. In his complaint, Flores alleges he purchased property at 2694 Houston St. in Beaumont on Feb. 8 with the intention of remodeling it. However, when Flores went to Beaumont's building permit department in an attempt to secure the necessary permits for his planned work, he learned of the city's intent to demolish the house, according to the complaint.


  • "The city permit officials do not have the discretion or authority to override the city's prior decision to demolish the house," the suit states. The only way Flores will be able to perform his sought-after repairs is if the court prohibits the city from demolishing his property, the complaint says.


  • In his complaint, Flores seeks a temporary restraining order that would prevent the city from demolishing his property, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Source: Beaumont man seeks TRO to stop demolition of house.

In an unrelated case, The Southeast Texas Record reports:

  • Nancy Robbins has filed an application for injunction, seeking to stop the city of Beaumont from demolishing her condemned home.


  • The injunction and restraining order petition was filed Feb. 21 in Jefferson County District Court.According to the petition, Robbins owns a home located at 4630 Hartel St. in Beaumont, which has been declared to be a dilapidated structure and is scheduled to be demolished by the city.


  • Robbins maintains she purchased the home in order to save it from demolition and to remodel and renovate the home. She maintains she will suffer immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage unless the city is enjoined.

Source: Beaumont woman seeks TRO to stop city from demolishing home.