8 Responses to “Suggestions re: code enforcement”

1. posted by brenda p at June 27, 2008 12:34 pm :
   

   Vacant land: make it green.

   A la Philadelphia Green

   They even have put together a Vacant Lot Manual

2. posted by David P. at June 30, 2008 11:01 am :
   

   1. Blighted buildings are a problem. By “blighted” I mean buildings that are in the process of demolition by neglect (some in the advanced stages). Some of these are in various stages of being boarded up; others are occupied! The condition of these buildings is a detriment to our City and, in particular, to the people who live near (or even in!) them.

   2. From the exterior a building can seem to be in good repair and yet can fail to meet minimum community standards for safe and healthy housing.

   3. Buildings left vacant for a long period of time are attractive nuisances (broadly, if not in the strict legal sense).

   I would welcome aggressive efforts by the City administration to address these issues. In particular, I wonder:

   – is it possible to have a much higher assessment on properties vacant for more than one year?

   – why is it so hard to implement a rental property inspection system?

3. posted by Chuck at June 30, 2008 11:07 am :
   

   I think the City actually had a position in the budget for a rental property inspector. I thought it odd that there was only the 1 person given the fact that I read/heard somewhere that rental properties outnumber owner occupied type properties.

4. posted by David P. at June 30, 2008 11:21 am :
   

   I understand that such a position exists (and has for perhaps a year), but that it has not been filled. Maybe this is just rumor. But that’s the reason for my question above. I agree, too, with the notion that a good, small squadron of such inspectors would be needed.

5. posted by brenda p at June 30, 2008 11:26 am :
   

   I believe a few months ago the Mayor explained at a city council meeting that several applicants for the inspection program did not pass the background check, and that the position would be posted again.

6. posted by brenda p at June 30, 2008 11:28 am :
   

   re: rental inspection program, I found which meeting this was discussed in — see comment #2 here.

7. posted by Chuck at July 2, 2008 11:07 am :
   

   I noticed yesterday on the way home that the white house on Sycamore near the Park that had half of the front removed (think I recall a mention of a tree hitting it?) was being demolished.

   YAY for not having to look at that daily!

8. posted by Chuck at July 16, 2008 3:16 pm :
   

   863-1562 ext. 8990 is the number to call if you need to report properties with fallen/dead trees, mosquito issues, properties with high grass or overgrown weeds, etc.

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