Half-Built House on Drake Road Can be Razed, Judge Says

A judge has ruled in favor of the city regarding a half-built, windowless house at .

Law Director Ken Kraus said Common Pleas Judge Kathleen Sutula has sided with the city's efforts to get the house either fixed up for removed.

He said Sutula last week gave property owner Brian Mathoslah of Shaker Heights 30 days to take down the house or the city can immediately demolish it and assess all costs.

The city went to court last July to try to force Mathoslah  to either finish the house or tear it down. The shell of the windowless house is standing, but officials said no one has maintained the property since the owner, who fell into financial distressed, halted work on the home.

Ward 2 Councilman Ray Haseley said neighbors complained about the house last spring and summer.

The city has been cutting the grass on the property and billing the cost to the owner.

Kraus said Strongsville filed suit, seeking an order that would allow the city to tear down the house and charge Mathoslah for the expense. Complicating the case, he said, is the fact that there are a number of liens on the property.

Kraus added that there are also concerns the house is an unsafe structure.