Highland gives developer more time to demolish house

HIGHLAND (Deseret News) — Faced with condemnation notices, a developer promised to demolish an abandoned home that was significantly damaged in a four-alarm fire last year.

After hearing a plea from developer Gary Cooper, the Highland City Council voted Tuesday to give him an additional four months to demolish and clear debris from the 6,700-square-foot home at 10031 N. 6800 West.

"The problem is money. The economy is bad, and I'm in real estate," Cooper said. "I have no income. My income is to sell lots. … I just need more time and I need money. I agree it's an eyesore."

The home sits on a 31/2-acre site in a residential neighborhood, down the street from Freedom Elementary School. Neighbors and parents of students have been concerned about safety hazards, calling the city weekly with complaints.

Highland sent condemnation notices to the homeowner twice, once in September and again in March.

Cooper, who sold the house to Cami Stauffer and maintains the lot, filed an appeal with the city last month asking for an extension on the demolition deadline.

"We can not see the urgency in the demolition of the home," Stauffer and Cooper wrote in the appeal. Cooper added at the meeting that he was "shocked when I found out there was so much concern."

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