At first glance of Bethel Park’s Brookside Farms, one may assume it is an ordinary Pittsburgh suburban neighborhood.
With a turn onto Comanche Road, the picturesque area becomes distorted when a deteriorating house filled with woodpecker holes and mold becomes visible through the overgrowth that devours the home.
At a special Bethel Park Council Meeting on July 8, the demolition of the house at 3204 Comanche Road was approved unanimously.
“Demolition shall occur when, in a code official’s opinion, the structure has become so deteriorated or dilapidated, or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy in such that it is unreasonable to repair the structure,” according to the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code.
Overgrown trees and weeds, collapsing of the front porch, gutters falling off, missing paint and visible woodpecker holes are what brought concern of imminent danger to Vince Kelly, the municipality’s residential building inspector, in February. Also, the side porch contained holes in the roof which were causing leaks.
“Typically, when a house is this bad on the outside,” Kelly said, “it is way worse on the inside.”
Kelly sent violation letters to the home, but received no response. He followed up by sending a citation, again with no response, and then took the issue to court.
After a no-show in court by the owner, Gary McClatchey, he was fined $1,000 for each offense.
On June 7, District Judge Ron Arnoni granted Kelly an administrative search warrant to examine how structurally sound the inside of the property was, allowing Kelly to enter the home without permission from the owner.
The same day, code enforcement and Bethel Park police visited the home. Upon entering, the smell of mold was powerful, requiring the search team to wear respirators.
Mold swallowed the home, covering hallways, banisters and furniture, caused by the main roof leaking. Kelly deemed the mold in the home to be the worst he has ever seen, even after holding a job in general contracting for 26 years prior to his position with the municipality.
“This doesn’t happen overnight,” Kelly said. “This has been like this for a long time.”
Kelly estimated that the mold has been accumulating for a couple years.
Additionally, animal feces were found on the stairs. Leaks from the main roof caused the basement ceiling to collapse and the upstairs floors to be soaked.
Kelly compared the house on Comanche to the home on Milford Drive that was approved for demolition in 2023. When repairs started the latter home, the true amount of mold was revealed. Ed Lampl Environmental and Home Inspections, which specializes in mold testing and inspection, claimed that it was impossible to get rid of the mold, according to Kelly. He claimed that the mold in the Comanche property was worse, explaining the only solution is to go through with a demolition.
The mold and dilapidated roof raised concern within Kelly about the structural integrity of the home.
“There is more of a chance of this collapsing at any time,” he said.
After inspecting the home on June 7, he deemed the home as imminent danger and started the process of demolition.
“There is no way of fixing up this house with how much mold is in it,” Kelly said.
With the approval of the demolition, the municipality will put a lien on the property as an attempt to recoup money for associated costs. After liens are brought forth, the property will be sold at sheriff’s sale, according to John Oakes, council president.
The demolition will occur in approximately two months, according to Kelly. Prior to demolition, he has to get three estimates, which will be presented to and voted on by the council. Additionally, asbestos testing will be completed for the Allegheny County Health Department.
Watch the special council meeting: