Back on June 19th, I posted about my experince being hit with a nuisance violation for what I felt were rather petty items. Today, I got a notice to call the Inspector which I did knowing that it was probably not good news. I have been advised to remove the logs that create a border between my property and the adjoining property; remove a small pile of bricks which is located by my back deck which nobody can see unless you are physically standing in my back yard, and to clean up a pile of brush standing next to my new compost pile. I was upset because the original complaint cited "logs in the driveway" and "brush piles". Both of these issues I addressed. The brick pile (from a torn down chimney when we put on a new roof) was a new one.
I have been told that if I remove the mortar from the bricks (the pile is about 4 square feet) and stack them that it would not be an issue and I'm told that I have to move the logs placed end to end because if I don't they will rot and they are not an approved border material - never mind that there is no such thing as a list of approved border materials, but that the Inspector is classifying logs neatly placed end to end as "yard debris". When asked what problem these logs pose, I was told that they will rot and "create a mess." I let him know that the rotting is a good thing as I have very little soil on my property and that this will be a good thing for my property.
The reality is that given the vagueness of the nuisance ordinance, the inspectors have no choice but to enforce it equally. My small pile of bricks isn't differentiated from the huge pile in someone else's yard. It is believed that the ordinace addressing nuisances (Chapter 17 of the municipal code) dates to the 70's and has not been updated. It NEEDS to be updated. The problem with the way it is written currently is that it creates inefficiency among the inspection staff as it gives them no leeway to decide which properties need more attention than others; and so, in many cases, they are forced to spend time on minor violations like mine.
I really don't need another wagon to haul around right now, but I can't see any other option than to push for the updating of the nuisance ordinances so that our limited city staff resources are used appropriately and are not wasting their time on minor items like my property. (It's of special note that my house never would have brought any attention if it wasn't for local slumlord Bulent Bediz's dislike for me. No other rational person or neighbor can care less about the fact that I have a few bricks lying on the ground or a few twigs lying in a pile in the back yard.) That being said, the City isn't really left with many options since the code does not allow them any leeway.
Part 3 to come....I'm sure of it.
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Friday, August 7, 2009
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3 comments:
Funny how they have time to self initiate complaints where no neighbors have complained, but yet they are far too understaffed to do anything about 913 Union St which has been sitting on cinderblocks for more than six months and surrounded in piles of bricks and trash. That has been reported by my friends and family more times than I can count. 810 Gregory St has had the back door ripped open, window shattered and has been that way for months and months with no action taken on any of our complaints. If you look at a satellite image of 811 Highland, you can see the trash heap in the backyard from space. My wife called about that last in mid June and they have not been out to inspect it... BUT FOR GOD SAKES GET THOSE LOGS OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS.
"Brian" has been an activist in reporting neighbors who park on the grass. Sic the inspector on them! But the ordinances are a problem if they pinch him. And the problems with other properties do not excuse those of your property. I suggest eliminating many of these ordinances. Get rid of the Nanny government. Your taxes would be lower!
Your perspective is interesting but misguided. The City's Zoning Department asked the neighborhood association in May for help in identifying properties that could potentially be in violation of the new front yard parking ordinance. If you read my post carefully, you'll see that my concern is about the effectiveness of the ordinance and concern about how the city will possibly implement this. I did not create the ordinance, but I do support it. I will not apologize for wanting to live in a neighborhood that looks like people care about it. You really should read my posts more carefully.
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