Owner given 45 days to repair house years ago
Marion City Commission signed a resolution Monday that would allow Donald Marques 45 days to complete improvements to his property at 1018 Denver Street.
The commission previously had allowed numerous extensions of time. Marques gave the commission personal reasons for the delay.
Marques was not present at Monday's meeting but the commission said they would revisit the issue in 45 days to review progress.
"It will either do Mr. Marques some good to have a (deadline) date, or it will be good for the city," said Dan Baldwin, city attorney.
Notice will be sent to all owners, including Marques' estranged wife, Baldwin said, since she was an owner of record.
Local contractor Jim Davis, who has been working on the house, said he didn't think Marques could complete the necessary improvements within 45 days.
Baldwin said the more work that is completed in the time frame, the harder it will be for the city to "tear down his house."
Stacey Collett of Atmos Energy said he was interested in the results because a new gas line needs to be installed on the property if the house is not going to be razed.
Collett explained the gas company will install the line from the meter to the house at no cost to the homeowner. However, before the line can be installed, new gas plumbing has to be installed in the interior of the house.
