Pelhank faces deadline to obtain demolition permit for burned apartment building

March 28--BLOOMINGTON -- Landlord Wayne Pelhank has until April 4 to obtain a demolition permit for a burned-out apartment building where city inspectors found 226 code violations 11 days prior to the blaze.

The order was entered Wednesday in the city's administrative court, where he also had 31 code violations at other properties dismissed after fixing those problems.

They were among nearly 600 violations Pelhank and his property manager, Ed Duran, racked up at five apartment buildings he owns in the 900 blocks of West Front and Grove streets. The city says the pair are the worst offenders on a list of landlords whose properties are in violation of city code.

The city agreed to decide those violations in four batches. Pelhank has already resolved two batches of violations. He agreed to fix 80 code violations in the third set by Wednesday or face $17,500 in fines.

Those violations include electrical, window and heating issues, said city Deputy Corporation Counselor Angela Fyans-Jimenez.

"There was an argument as to whether they took care of it," she said. "They provided a list saying they took care of all of them, and we're saying it's not in a workman-like manner or there hasn't been a final inspection."

"Yes, there was some disagreement, but we're working with the city to make sure we're all on the same page," said Eitan Weltman, Pelhank's attorney, after the hearing.

If the work is not completed satisfactorily, the city will take the case to McLean County Circuit Court, said Fyans-Jimenez.

The landlord also will need to fix a final batch of code violations at those five buildings, also by May 4, before the case is resolved.

"Our intent is to have everything abated within the time that we've discussed with the city," said Weltman.

If the problems are corrected, the fines will be reduced, said Fyans-Jimenez. A May 9 administrative court hearing was set in that case.

The fire at the apartment building, 1101 Gettysburg Drive, was reported around 3:08 p.m. Feb. 10. The damage was estimated at $650,000.

A snow fence has been put around the damage site and no-trespassing signs posted.

"Their insurance (carrier) is going to demo it so we asked for a demolition permit," said Fyans-Jimenez.

"Demolition is forthcoming. We're not sure of the date," said Weltman.

An accidental cooking fire was the cause of the blaze that left seven families homeless. The families have since been relocated, some to other Pelhank-owned properties.

Because the apartment building was uninhabitable after the fire, those violations were deemed moot, but Pelhank was ordered to pay $110 in court costs.

A chronic nuisance case filed in circuit court on the five rental properties on Grove and Front streets is pending.

The city filed the chronic nuisance case was because significant crimes were happening in the vicinity of the properties and as a result, the city requested the owners put security cameras up and notify the police department when new tenants moved in.

That case was continued to April 5.

Follow Maria Nagle on Twitter: @pg_nagle

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