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080412 LEGAL RED TAPE AVOIDED HOME DEMOLISHED IN MAGNOLIA

344 views · Published 25 April 2013 · 22:36 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: SCOTT ENGLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE REPORTER- · 2013 · News & Politics

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Mamie McLachlan and her sister Ruby Reyes grew up in on Roy Street in Magnolia then moved away. Her mother remained but lost her home to a fire many years ago. Since many of the children were returning home from time to time she had a home moved in. After her passing the home fell to disrepair it wasn't long before scrappers removed the metal roof of the home. Soon the remaining roof began to fall in followed by some of the walls and the floor. The to much for the sisters to bear for demolition it sat. The Magnolia City Council asked Police Chief Ibarra what could be done. When he was in Corpus Christi many homes needed to be removed also and he learned ways this could be done. But the legal expense alone to the city to condemn the property and prepare for demolition would have been close to $40,000. Then on April 11 of this year Chief Ibarra saw a story on KHOU in Houston when they focused on the over 8,000 homes in Houston that needed to be demolished. After a controversial ruling by the state supreme court in January, it will take even longer to remove the homes. The ruling entitles property owners of structures deemed dangerous and a public nuisance to an independent judicial review before a city can tear them down. Some Texas cities have put a halt to all demolition work. But Mayor Annise Parker has established a demolition assessment panel to identify buildings the city can level without the threat of a lawsuit. The Chief said he would love to be part of her panel. It caused him to start looking at alternatives. Volunteer organizations and the community coming together to remove these building wasn't included in the ruling. Just about that time Summer Foltz and Jill Gabriel, both recent graduates of the Magnolia Police Department Citizens Police Academy walked into his office. The two were looking for a project. Within months the red tape was cut. The owners of the property agreed to sign off on demolition, Local Attorney Steve Crews handled the legal work on his own time at no charge. Jill's husband, Daniel Gabriel with DLG Timber provided the equipment to demolish the home. Before any work could start Texas Star Propane had to go to the location to remove the old propane tank and it's supply lines. WCA Waste provided at least four roll off containers and covered the landfill fees to dispose of the home. They got North Houston Trucking to provide the transportation of the equipment to the site. Then talking with local merchants Food Basket and Brookshire Brothers provided food, water and snacks for all the volunteers of the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful organization. Many other volunteers signed on, both neighbors and church groups. What started out small turned into a block party. Magnolia Fire Department stood by to wet surfaces down to prevent large amounts of dust. The Magnolia Police Department provided security and traffic control and a throwing arm from time to time as one officer passed the football to several youngsters in the area. Just minutes after 8 a.m Saturday everyone gathered for a prayer and within minutes the demolition began. With the first swing of the bucket much of the house fell in. Within an hour the entire house was loaded in the containers to be hauled off. Several dead and dangerous trees were also removed. Chief said there are a few more home like this in the city he would like to remove.

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