MOORPARK : Damaged Building May Be Torn Down
A Moorpark landlord’s refusal to make city-ordered repairs to his earthquake-damaged building could result in the building being torn down.
Don Wokal, who owns the building at 169-173 High St., hired an engineer to repair the building soon after the Northridge earthquake in January, 1994. But a structural engineer working for the city determined that Wokal’s plans to repair the un-reinforced masonry building would not protect it during another quake.
Also, city inspectors say the building, despite continuing to house a print shop and veterinarian’s office, is unstable and poses a threat to public safety.
Wokal refused to pay an $800 fine for not fixing the damaged building after being ordered to over several months.
“I’ve already put up $10,000 on the engineering and the plans, and I just can’t put any more into this,” he told the City Council on Wednesday night.
The City Council voted to cut the fine in half and hear Wokal’s appeal at a meeting scheduled for May 8.
If Wokal refuses to make the repairs and loses his appeal, the city will tear the building down, building officials said.
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