LEAGUE CITY, Texas — The League City Building Standards Commission voted unanimously Oct. 2 to order the demolition of a deteriorated house at 2825 Pine Mills Drive, saying repeated code violations, structural damage and recurring criminal mischief have created an ongoing public health and safety nuisance.

Joe Gonzalez, manager for Neighborhood Services (Code Enforcement), told the commission staff had documented years of problems at the property — junk vehicles, high grass and underbrush, trash and debris, boarded windows, and substandard structural conditions — and that prior abatements had not produced lasting repairs. "This property has been a consistent source of violations and public concern for a few years now," Gonzalez said during the public compliance hearing.

The commission adopted staff findings and voted to order demolition after hearing testimony from two neighbors who described trespass, rodents and safety concerns. Neighbor Dave Hockenauer, who lives next door, said schoolchildren are dropped off near the property and described frequent trespassers and pests. "Somebody's gonna get killed there," Hockenauer told the board. Another resident, who identified himself as Pierce of 2822 Pine Mills, called the house "the worst, most disgusting eyesore I've ever witnessed" and said utilities had been disconnected for years.

Why it matters: Commission members and neighbors said the house poses ongoing safety and sanitation risks to nearby yards and a school bus stop. Staff recommended demolition after inspections showed advanced interior and exterior deterioration, water damage, missing sheetrock and compromised roof and chimney flashing.

What staff found and timeline: Gonzalez presented inspection records and photos beginning with an inspection on May 15, 2023, after a citizen complaint about a broken window. Because of the interior hazards and debris, city staff obtained an administrative warrant to inspect the interior on May 23, 2023; the fire marshal ordered the home's electrical meter pulled the same day, and the meter was removed. Staff also documented boarded windows from repeated vandalism, a deteriorated chimney flashing and missing fascia and soffit. Public works performed cleanups and installed temporary fencing after repeated trespass. Gonzalez said multiple certified notices had been mailed and posted but the owner, identified in staff materials as Mrs. Terrell, had not responded to bring the property into compliance; staff located three contact addresses (Kemah, Tomball and a post office box) and reported earlier contact numbers were disconnected. Gonzalez told the board the property had reached "a state of advanced deterioration" and that further abatements would only provide temporary relief.

Board action and follow-up: Board member Dave Persons moved to adopt staff's recommendations and order demolition; Robert Klein seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Commissioners present who voted yes were Kathleen Benoit, Michael Hendershot, Robert Klein and Dave Persons. The staff report attached to the agenda set a compliance deadline of Oct. 20; staff told the commission the order and related paperwork can be filed with the county clerk to put future purchasers on notice and that the city could return later to consider civil penalties or other enforcement if the owner does not comply. Gonzalez cautioned that further enforcement measures that involve liens, civil penalties or city-funded remedies may require additional legal steps and, in some cases, district-court approval.

Public comments and neighborhood context: Neighbors described long-term vacancy, visible pests and repeated vandalism. Hockenauer said he and other neighbors have repeatedly reported problems to city staff and the homeowners association, and that an earlier foreclosure sale had been followed by a repurchase that did not lead to repairs. Pierce said water and sewer service had been disconnected for roughly a decade in his view; city staff confirmed the electric meter was disconnected May 23, 2023. Neighbors asked the city to consider pest control and boarding up openings, and staff said the city sometimes performs limited boarding or abatement to limit immediate hazards but is constrained from using municipal funds to benefit a single private property absent clear legal justification.

Votes at a glance: The commission also approved three routine items by voice vote earlier in the meeting: approval of the Aug. minutes (unanimous), and approval of the commission's 2026 meeting calendar (unanimous).