MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - A panel of building officials acting as hearing officers in an administrative appeal have ordered the owners of the Hotel Marysville to begin to demolish the building within 10 days.

In a decision released late Thursday, the hearing examiner panel said the City has met its burden of proof in establishing “by a preponderance of the evidence that the condition of the Hotel Marysville (1) is a public nuisance in accordance with the Municipal Code, and (2) presents an imminent threat to the public of bodily harm and a danger to adjacent property.”

The panel concluded: “…the Hotel Marysville is having a negative impact on the City and the public in its current condition. Specifically, it has been found to contain asbestos, lead and other materials that are not contained within the building due to the lack of walls, windows and roof. The risk of failure of the building with little to no warning is also causing traffic delays and detours due to road closures resulting from perimeter fencing around the property.”

The panel ordered the owners to acquire permits and show proof it has hired a competent contractor within 10 days of its ruling. If they do so, they have another 60 days to demolish the building. If they fail to do so, the City may demolish the five-story structure and recover costs by placing a lien on the property and as a personal obligation against the owners, the panel ordered.

The panel determined that the Hotel Marysville, in its present condition, is not a qualified Historic Structure subject to the California Historic Building Code. Even if it were, state law allows demolition of historic structures if they are damaged by fire and present an imminent threat to the public or adjacent buildings.

The panel also upheld an administrative penalty of $300 per day which has been accruing since Aug. 1, when a notice of violation and penalty order regarding the public nuisance was issued. The owners appealed the notice on Aug. 11.

The hearing panel consisted of building inspectors familiar with structural integrity and state building codes who are not employed by the City of Marysville.

The owner of the building for the last 17 years is Feather River Plaza, LLC, a limited liability company with addresses in Rhode Island and Los Angeles.