The Cleveland Board of Building Standards & Building Appeals met on August 24, 2026, both in person and via a live‑stream on YouTube, to consider appeals from property owners dealing with repeated vandalism and related code violations. After a brief opening and a review of the agenda, the board voted on five cases, granting extensions or remanding the matters for further action.
4401 Germaine Ave. – Request Denied
Owner David Irace, who is attempting to sell the two‑family home in Ward 4, asked for additional time to address code issues. The Building Department did not object to a delay, but Board member Harsh recommended denial, noting that a prospective buyer has been a “problem in the community for many decades.” Harsh also warned that converting the property from two to four units would conflict with the two‑family zoning district. The board voted to deny the extension and remand the case to the Department of Building & Housing.
5105 Fowler Ave. – Six‑Month Extension Granted
Jeffrey Domzalski and property manager Chester Cuiksa reported extensive vandalism at the Ward 3 property. A truck forced its way through a boarded‑up door, and later vandals broke the mortar of the exterior wall, stripping shelving and plumbing. The site has also suffered illegal dumping of large items such as mattresses. Cuiksa outlined a plan to replace the damaged door, repair the structure and install a boulder in the driveway to deter future dumping. The Building Department had no objections to a longer repair timeline and suggested interior barriers to block entry. The board approved a six‑month extension for abatement.
725 E. 152nd St. – Remanded for Address Error
Owner Chris Boeman explained that a violation notice was mistakenly sent to neighboring property owner Lisa Fontanez. The garage portion of the split‑lot property lacks a street address, and the deed has not been consolidated. Board member Murray noted that permits must be filed within 30 days to repair the garage and that the lot consolidation process should be started to prevent future confusion. The board remanded the case back to the Department of Building & Housing.
3664 E. 105th St. – 120‑Day Extension Approved
Owner Fred Williams requested additional time to complete repairs, citing limited income. He has applied for an assistance program to replace the front‑porch flooring and has already completed some cleanup work. Inspector Murray confirmed progress on the property. The board granted a 120‑day extension for abatement.
4671 W. 197th St. – Barbed‑Wire Fence Allowed
Phillip and Alicia Stewart, owners of a home in Ward 15, described a series of criminal incidents, including vandalism, trespassing and shootings, that have plagued the property since they moved in 2020. They installed a barbed‑wire barrier on the fence, which they say has stopped fence‑jumping and given the family some peace. The city has asked homeowners to remove barbed wire, but the Stewarts argued that the barrier is necessary until the criminal matters are resolved in court. The board voted to allow the barbed‑wire fence to remain and placed the violation on hold pending resolution of the “menace.”
The board’s decisions reflect ongoing challenges for Cleveland homeowners confronting crime, illegal dumping and code compliance. Upcoming meeting dates are posted on the Board of Building Standards & Building Appeals agenda page.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
