Neighbors urged the Building and Standards Commission on Oct. 8 to require demolition of a long‑vacant, partially constructed home at 5103 Valley Oak Drive that neighbors say has hosted trespassers, illegal dumping and large parties.

Investigator Richard Lamacusa presented staff photographs showing an unsecured, roofless shell with construction debris in the yard and temporary plywood boarding on the structure. Lamacusa said code received 14 neighborhood 311 calls about the project since the building permits expired in late 2023; Austin Energy disconnected a temporary power pole to prevent trespassers from using electricity; code previously issued citations and placed liens for securing efforts.

Jason Lindenschmidt, a neighbor and speaker for residents near Highland Park Elementary, said the house was gutted in 2022 and construction stopped that year. Lindenschmidt said the property was recently foreclosed and is now listed for sale; neighbors want demolition because the structure is unsafe and has attracted transient occupants and criminal activity. “Demolition of the structure would alleviate the homeless situation, remove an eyesore, allow residents … to feel safe and hopefully expedite the sale of the property,” he said.

Staff asked the commission to adopt a 45‑day order requiring the owner to finalize permits and correct violations; if compliance is not achieved, a civil penalty of $250 per week would begin to accrue after the 46th day. At a later point in the meeting commissioners amended the penalty for this non‑homestead property to the statutory maximum (discussed in the meeting) — $1,000 per violation per day — which the commission adopted as an amendment to the main motion. The motion to adopt the order with the amended penalty passed unanimously.

Staff admitted exhibits documenting the site, notices and police activity reports. The commission’s order will be mailed to the owner; demolition remains an available enforcement path if the owner does not comply.