Abby orders house to be demolished

Starting later this month, the owner of an Abbotsford rental house that has been declared a health hazard will be fined $250 per day until he tears down the structure.

The city council voted Monday to order the demolition of the house at 318 N. First St., which appears to have substantial issues with its foundation.

“It’s collapsing into itself, literally,” said city administrator Dan Grady.

The owner, Leonard Riehle, took out a permit to raze the building last October, but no action was ever taken since to follow through with demolition.

Water service has been shut off at the house since at least February, but there is still a tenant living in part of the building. A local police officer is trying to find a new home for that person.

Grady noted that it’s not even legal, under the city’s ordinances or state law, to rent a dwelling without running water.

In February, the council voted to give Riehle 60 days to tear the building or face possible fines. Riehle took no action, so Grady said the council had the option of fining him as little as $10 per day or as much as $1,000 per day.

According to the resolution adopted by the council, Riehle has five days after receiving notice from the Colby-Abbotsford Police Department to either tear the building down or start being fined $250 per day.

The resolution also authorizes Grady and Weix to take Riehle to court, seeking an order to have the building torn down if Riehle doesn’t do it on his own.

Ald. Mason Rachu said he likes the idea of pursuing both fines and legal action so the situation doesn’t drag on with people living in the house.

Ald. Rachu initially made a motion to issue fines of $100 per day and pursue court action right away, but after further council discussion, he raised it to $250.