Building Board of Appeals

Turns out the Board of Appeals meeting was called on account of Campus Habitat appealing the city's notice of intent to close apartments the company owns at 600 and 820 West Freeman.  If Campus Habitat did not get the extension, several apartments in 600 West Freeman and the entirety of 820 West Freeman would close on August 23.  Campus Habitat has fist been notified verbal of problems with the buildings by the city last September and had received written notice in late July.  After a two and a half hour meeting, the Board decided to give Campus Habitat an extension until Sept. 5 to bring the doors in 600 West Freeman up to city specifications. 

The Board then required Campus Habitat to provide it with an action plan for replacing the doors at 820 West Freeman and otherwise bringing the building into compliance with fire and building codes by the time of the Board's next meeting, Sept. 12. Board chairman Campbell Smith said the Board also expected to see substantial compliance with the submitted action plan by the time of the meeting, otherwise the intent to vacate order would be reinstated.  Smith added that the reason for the lengthy extension granted for 820 West Freeman was evidence submitted by Campus Habitat that the 91 doors ordered for the refit were not expected to arrive until Sept 4.  Of course, also according to Campus Habitat, orders for replacement doors did not go to the supplier until August 15 (yes, that was yesterday).