HIGHLAND — The shell of a burned-out home still stands on 6800 West in Highland, framing the mountain view with jagged black pieces of fire-damaged wood.
There's an eerie feel even during the day around the 31/2-acre site on which stands the house, abandoned by its owner after a kitchen grease fire spread and gutted it. Guarded by a white iron fence, the 6,700-square-foot home is cold and dead within a neighborhood aglow with the lights of the holiday season.
It has become more than an eyesore in this Utah County city. And it may cost the cash-strapped city $15,000 to demolish the house.
"This is an unattractive nuisance," said Highland City Councilman Larry Mendenhall.
"I think you're being kind," responded Councilman Brian Brunson. "It's absolutely a public safety hazard.
The City Council on Tuesday discussed the home at 10031 N. 6800 West, a '70s home from Highland's farming days that was completed engulfed in a four-alarm fire in April. Total damage was estimated at $400,000.
The problem is, the homeowner has yet to raze the place, and the city is getting complaints.
A notice dated Sept. 15 was sent to owner Gary Cooper, who now lives in Lehi. City officials said Cooper verbally committed to demolishing the house by the 45-day deadline, Nov. 1, but the home still stands.
Highland city officials have continued calling Cooper and even visited his Lehi home, but they've been ignored.
"I kind of think we might be taken advantage of," said Councilwoman Kathryn Schramm.
The home sits in a residential neighborhood, down the street from Freedom Elementary School.
"At the school, we're constantly concerned about safety issues," said Freedom Principal Jim Melville. "We're making sure swing sets aren't missing bolts, but down the street there's this (house) kids can get into."
The issue has been a huge concern for parents and the school's community council. Roughly 20-30 students walk past the house on their route to school.
"Can't you just see two little fifth-grade boys daring each other to go over there?" added Rhonda Bromley, spokeswoman for Alpine School District.
Neighbors have voiced similar concerns.
Allen Holland, a Prudential real-estate agent, is attempting to sell a $599,000 home north of the fire-damaged place. Holland says its burned neighbor is "absolutely" hurting the sale.
"People want to know what's going on with it — was it a crack house, a meth house, why it burned down, why it is still up," he said.
Highland city attorney David Church said the council would not be liable if someone got injured on the property. The city does have a responsibility to enforce building ordinances, though.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to continue contacting the homeowner.
e-mail: astowell@desnews.com