By Mike Finney

DOVER — Labeling the property that sits at 846 Westview Terrace “a dangerous house,” members of Dover City Council voted unanimously Monday to have a two-story, storm-damaged home demolished by the end of April.

The property received a significant amount of damage, particularly to its roof, when it was hit by a tornado that caused destruction to several homes and businesses around Dover and Kent County on Aug. 4.

Dave Hugg, director of planning and community development for the city, and Inspector Eddie Kopp said they have both reached out to Rudolph Brabham, the owner of the house, numerous times, adding that no work has taken place on the property since it was damaged by the tornado.

A public hearing was held during Monday’s virtual council meeting, but Mr. Brabham did not attend and none of the neighbors of the home took the opportunity to speak.

“This property was severely damaged back in August during the tornado,” Mr. Hugg said. “It has since received five (code) violation notices to repair, ... stabilize and clean the property and remove some natural hazards to the public. That has not occurred in a timely manner.”

The house was condemned Aug. 7 by the city’s fire marshal.

It has since accrued a total of $350 in code-enforcement fines and five code-violation notices, the last coming March 26. The structure is in violation of the city’s dangerous-building ordinance.

“I have been trying to work with the owner for at least two months now,” Mr. Kopp said. “He has stated time and time again that work would start. I actually was emailed a contract and had an email from the contractor that said he promised to start work this month, … at least clean it up.

“There’s just been no good-faith effort on the property, and it just continues to deteriorate.”

The property will be demolished either by the owner or the city by the end of this month. The preliminary estimate for the destruction of the home is between $10,000-$20,000.

A letter from the city to the homeowner said, “The cost of demolition will be charged against the land on which the building exists as a municipal lien or cause such cost to be added to the tax duplicate as an assessment, or to be levied as a special tax, or to be recovered in a suit at law against the owner.”

Among the code violations given were loads on roofs; unfit for habitation; loose parts; general welfare; and unoccupied building.

Councilman Ralph Taylor Jr. lives right down the road from the abandoned house.

“This is a dangerous house,” said Councilman Taylor. “We pass this house every single day, myself and Council President (Bill) Hare. It is on our street, and our neighbors have been talking to us about it ever since it happened. The tornado did this (last) August, and we have not gotten anywhere with this property.

“I try my best to work with everybody who has been affected negatively like this. However, we’re getting nowhere, and the property is dangerous. The roof is wide open, so now we’re getting heavy microbial growth. On a windy day, mold spores are everywhere,” he added.

“This is a dangerous property, and it needs to be demolished immediately.”