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1603 Claremont provides another example of the pusillanimity of the Code Enforcement people.
You've probably seen the house; it is a mess, complete with peeling paint. The gutters are decaying and the corners of the roof are starting to go.
The table below summarizes the file Code Enforcement produced to a FOIA request. [Table updated 3/13/99 to incorporate a 3/9/99 response to a follow-up FOIA request.] In short, Since 1990 the property has been the subject of at least seven violation notices and at least two trips to court in connection with weeds on the property, abandoned vehicles on the property, refuse, peeling paint, and roof & downspout in disrepair.
They cited for the paint in 1990, but did not follow up. Despite all the later activity on weeds, trash, and abandoned cars, the Code Enforcement folks didn't go back there until they received a complaint in June, 1996.
The Code Enforcement people cited for paint, roof, and downspout on 6/21/96, and got their court order on 10/22/96. They inspected again on 3/4/97 and found the property still not fixed. They continued to do nothing until they received a complaint from the Patrol in August, 1998. Then they reinspected, marked the old "Action File" as "complied," opened a new "Action File," called their latest inspection an "initial visit," and posted a new violation notice!
The environmental people did better; on occasion they towed the junked cars and sent a City contractor to clear the alley. By early 1999, Mr. Treger had a bench warrant for the tenant and had towed the last of the cars. This served as a nice contrast to the ineffectual bleatings of the code enforcement people, but it did not solve the underlying problem.
It is clear the City, if left to its own devices, is not going to correct this mess in our neighborhood. Follow the links on the
Safety Committee page to see some of our own efforts.
Summary
Code Enforcement File
1603 Claremont Avenue
10/24/98
Updated 3/13/99
Date
Document
Content
7/9/90 Violation Notice Repair within 10 days 7/11/90? Violation Notice Property deficient in minimum maintenance requirement. [missing page showing compliance demand] 6/9/92 Notice to Abate Violation vehicle & vegetation > 12". Note: Posted 7/15 10/21/92 Memo To Maj. Jones, Bureau of Police: Please remove Ford van, white. 3/29/94 Notice to Abate Violation Inoperable vehicles. Handwritten note on one copy says Posted 6/13 4/19/94 Certified Mail Receipt Gomes & Bourne. 11/21/94 Mechanical Permit Application Replace furnace 8/27/96 Photos includes later photos thru end of 1996 8/28/96 Notice to Abate Violation Vegetation > 12", vehicles. Attached to photos & return receipts returned unclaimed. 10/15/96 Memo To Kennedy, Bureau of Police: Requests removal of 2 vehicles 10/18/96 Summons Gomes. Weeds in alley (Treger) 10/18/96 Summons Bourne. Weeds in alley (Treger) 12/4/96 Authorization letter Letter to Jireh Constr Co. re Gomes authorizing to cut grass, cut bushes blocking, cut weeds & vegetation within alleyway. Attached to Criminal court orders on default to Gomes & Bourne
12/4/96 Contract Request Form Recites court order. Estimated cost of grass cutting: $100. 12/4/96 Notice to Abate Violation To Gomes & Bourne: vegetation >12" along r/w. 7/10/98 Violation Notice Repair within 10 days 8/98?? Certified Mail Receipt Unclaimed. Handwritten note: "Post NOV" 8/11/98 Assessment Record printout Land: 14,000; improvement, 87000 8/24/98 Notice of Violation Exterior paint, walls; roof drains, gutters, downspouts (see next entry) 9/29/98 Action File Recap; File No. 96-004339 Citizen Complaint
6/20/96 Initial Visit: Peeling paint; roof & downspout in disrepair
6/21/96 Violation Notices
8/24/96 Court date. Owner did not show. Show Cause order for 10/22/96
3/4/97 Still not fixed. Recites court order for City to paint.
8/12/98 New complaint. Still in disrepair. Opening new action file
File marked: "Status: complied" (!!!!!!)
Both items in the violation summary marked as complied on 8/12/98 (!!!!!!)
Comment: "This case is being complied because of the age. A new complaint came in for same address. New action file will be created.
9/29/98 Action File Recap; File No. 98-007833 Citizen complaint
8/20/98 Initial Visit: Peeling paint, gutters & downspouts in disrepair/missing
8/20/98 shows roof violation "abated"
9/29/98 Violation Notice posted
10/6/98 Action File Recap, File No. 96-007132 Weeds in alley; abandoned Malibu & Grand Am. Weeds abated 2/6/97; vehicles "given to the police" 10/15/96.
10/6/98 Action File Recap, File No. 98-008725 9/3/98 inspection: refuse, inoperable mv’s, weeds along alley Complied 11/24/98 (vehicles), 12/14/98 (refuse & weeds)
ca. 1/22/99 Action file Recap, File No. 99-000086 1/6/99 Notice: Camaro 1/22/99 Tow letter to police
1/21/99 complied (Note date discrepancy)
1/6/99 Notice to Nosal: inoperable vehicle 1/22/99 Memo Priddy to Kennedy: Tow order
Follow the link to the Safety Committee to see the later developments.
Last updated 02/24/02
Please send questions or comments to John Butcher