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176 Council questioned Chief Keller as to whether he felt the main floor could be safely utilized as stores, if the second floor hotel portion was vacated, since there seemed some indication in the report this might be possible; however, the Fire Chief disagreed, and maintained his stand that the entire building should be removed as rapidly as possible. William Royer, 1047 Whipple Avenue, stated to Council that he agreed the building could not be made to comply with the Building Code, and commented on ways in which it was hoped they could reduce the hazards, such as adding fire exits. He stated the property is in joint ownership and leased to another party, and therefore the owners have no control over — the inside of the hotel. He also commented on the eventual possibility of the building being condemned because of civic center plans and reluctance to expend funds for the building on that basis. He added that if Council desired the building to be demolished, they would comply. A brief discussion by Council followed, and the Chief Building Official was requested by City Attorney to state whether the slides shown were a true representation of conditions. Chief Building Official advised they were of original photographs of and within the building taken during inspection and were true representations. Councilman Keckley moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Henderson and carried. Councilman Keckley moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6276 DECLARING STRUCTURES LOCATED AT 8503 852, and 854 MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, DIRECTING THE OWNERS TO ABATE SAID NUISANCE, AND ORDERING THE EXPENSE OF ABATEMENT TO BE MADE A LIEN UPON THE LAND IN THE EVENT THE NUISANCE IS NOT ABATED BY THE OWNER, seconded by Councilman Petersen. Councilman Henderson requested definition of the term to "abate nuisance", and the City Attorney responded that the owner would have the opportunity to either bring the structure to Code requirements, remove the building or demolish it, within thirty days, after which time the Chief Building Official has jurisdiction. Council then questioned whether the required removal of tenants would affect this time schedule, and City Attorney advised that, as a matter of law, the owner has an obligation to notify the occupants to vacate forthwith, and that he must comply with the conditions of the resolution within the specified time. To a question whether it was possible for Council to extend the time, he responded that as far as find- ing the structure a nuisance there can be no condition to the abatement order, and the only alternative would be to continue the matter for a, given period of time to take such action as appropriate. It was indicated by Council that, based on the substantial evidence that the building was a threat to life, there was only one course open to Council. Motion carried on roll call vote. Councilman Arnett abstaining, and Councilmen Henderson, Keckley, Petersen, Rhodes, Weymouth and Mayor Bury voting yes.