The Abilene Board of Building Standards on March 5 ordered the owner of 1457 Hollywood Drive to submit a plan of action within 30 days, obtain required permits and, if the plan is approved, secure rough-in inspections within 60 days; final inspections must be completed before permit expirations.

Robert Marsh, the city property maintenance inspector, said the structure had been the subject of stop-work orders in 2020, sits within a FEMA floodway where a floodway development permit would be required, and is a nonconforming use in a light-industrial zone. Staff noted the matter is scheduled for a Board of Adjustments hearing on March 11 to consider a special exemption to resume a single-family use.

Owner Mario Falcon (formerly registered as Mario Castaneda) addressed the board and said he intends to rehabilitate and live in the house; he recounted an arson attack and subsequent vandalism. “I just wanna not lose my house,” Falcon said, and told the board his goal is to finish repairs and return the home to occupancy.

Allred moved to accept the staff recommendation to require a plan of action and inspections; McBrayer seconded. The board voted unanimously to adopt the schedule and directed staff to coordinate permits and inspections in conjunction with the Board of Adjustments’ pending decision.

The board noted tying the building-repair schedule to the outcome of the March 11 zoning hearing would help align code and zoning processes for the property owner.