PORT ANGELES — City staff will meet today to discuss evicting the owners of the condemned Chinook Motel and what, if anything, should be done with the dilapidated property.
The city of Port Angeles gave owners William and Awatef Younan until Monday to begin to comply with its 2009 condemnation order.
The deadline was set in October after the owners failed to begin repairs.
In response, the owners told the city they don’t have the money to bring the property up to code.
The Younans live in the motel at 1414 E. First St.
City Planning Manager Sue Roberds said they likely will be evicted since the property is zoned commercial and the Younans are allowed to reside there only if they are operating a business or working to bring it up to code.
“As far as we’re concerned, unless there’s some activity going on there that is moving toward the use of the property in the manner that it is zoned for, there isn’t the ability for [them] to stay there,” she said.
Roberds said the city would not evict them if they made an effort, no matter how small, to repair the motel, which was determined by the state Department of Health to be unsafe and unhealthy for guests.
Effort needed
“Some movement that ensures that forward momentum is being made is really what we’re looking for,” she said.
If the property is not sold or redeveloped, the city could do the repairs itself and put a lien on the property, Roberds said.
But she noted any such action would be expensive and require approval of the City Council since funds are not available.
The 53-room motel, condemned in June 2009 after operating for 61 years, is listed for sale at $1.5 million.
The property and motel are valued at $582,600, according to the Clallam County Assessor’s Office.
The Younans could not be reached for comment.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
