HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 09 26 Public Input (2) Handout
Date: September 26, 2005
The following Document was distributed to
Mayor Bush and Commissioner Krebs on
September 26, 2005 during "Public Input" by
Mr. Rickards.
Monday, September 26,2005
To: Commissioner Krebs and the Honorable Mayor Bush
Subject: Code Violations at 721 Endeavour Drive S.
I believe that the City has not taken the appropriate actions in matter of the Code
compliance at 721 Endeavour Dr. S. Recently the City had cited the property for
a number of code violations due to the appearance, the accumulations of dead
vegetation and uncontrolled weed growth. The code states that the appearance
must be "appealing and pleasing". While not setting a hard appearance
standard, I believe the words within the code were crafted to afford the City some
latitude. That latitude was the ability to use the adjoining properties and the
neighborhood in general to "set the standard of appearance.
The owner's reaction to the City's notification of the properties infraction was to
"nuke" the property with a Round-up like product. While this is a method of
controlling weeds it does nothing to abate the appearance issue or solve the
issue of the accumulation of dead and dying vegetation it only makes these
issues worse. The fact, is that this action has taken place twice a year for the
past three (3) years and does not indication a true intention to comply with the
sprit or word of the City's code. The vegetation is killed, a quick once over with a
mower to cut down the big stuff and then the property sits there waiting for the
weeds to grow back. The property has never, in the past three (3) years been
raked or been cleaned up. Granted the City was not aware of this past behavior
but clearly this property still remains non-compliant.
Oh, did I mention the insects! The code recognizes that we are in a tropical
environment and the accumulation of "dead and dying vegetation" not only is
unsightly but is breeding ground for insects. The adjoining neighbors of this
property must use excessive amounts of insecticides to combat the insect
problems. And then there is the issue of the vermin that live in the back yard of
this property. I must chain the lids on my trash cans to keep them out of them.
Again, code violations that the City is failing to address.
As I and my neighbors have shared with you in the petition we submitted, we
have endured this situation for far too long. We asked for help and continue to
seek it. Why the City needs us to bring these details to their attention is not being
considered here but should be asked by you. Why we need to define for them
which code elements are being violated is also not being asked.
The following images are apparently what the City sees as a property compliant
with the Codes or is acceptable. I would like to ask the honorable Commissioner
and the Mayor if they would like to see this next to their homes. How long would
it then take for corrective action to take place?
The following images are in reference to the violations under the Arborist Codes.
Image: 1
This image was taken on August 19, 2005 in
the company of the City's arborist. He was
visiting my home, on my request, to view the
illegal tree trimming and removal that had
occurred. It was explained to the arborist
that the tree in this image was the first of
two trees that were cut down on that
occasion.
Note: a police report should be available for
that incident.
Image: 2
The image here, with the arborists finger
visible, show the a tree that was removed
from my property by the owner of 721. This
image is presented for comparison.
I chose not to make an issue of this illegal
removal or seek legal action in my attempt
to be "neighborly".
Image:3
This is an image indicating the use of tree
climbing spikes which is against code in
W.S. These indications were also visible on
the tree that was "hat racked" in the front of
the property. Again the city's arborist's hand
is shown in the image.
Image:4
The owner of 721 has claimed to the
City that this tree was removed in
December of 2004 within the grace
period granted by the City. This grace
period allowed removal of storm
damaged tress without the need of a
permit. This is not a true as was his
statement that he had a permit to
remove tress from his property.
~. . ~. ,i!t~ -~ ~"fiii ....~.. "'. .'''/:' '~JF \ :, .,' t,.:
""~~, L ~ .."~'~: . -"p',::\.~,~-:";-'.' J.. .;~;~I~~...,Mf.i~"1
''''', ^ (J~.:o.l,t>..1:.'''' , t~. ",,:',.'" \v': ....:,;
....~ ........ 1';1" ~~ ,_ ~'~.~ ".' _0 If. 'A' 1'1,'
..t;;.,:4i'\."', _,,/4!< ~~-~ ~I'';~,..~;~ :",._~~~~:-_ ~_... i. ~:.,i-"f""r'" It!
.. . < ,.,,~,~ --. ,'.'..... ,,~ .". ',' .'..... \
~'-..- ._Jl..~' I . - ....,,~ ....~ ..~ . J~ 't. ....: 'i'
- ,. ..; .(: :'10"", ....k/.: 4. , . ., ,,.1" i~
'~~~'~':" .'''''~~ ,,:t"'fr:.... 11..1. ,'" .-~.~ ~__,I-~< i
'v'\" ~.:~~.. "':~;..'"~'''''.~;'~'' ,..<~<"J')'
JI-: r.... -.~ ~. , ..'t.~ ~~~~,,~~ V~....:lf!'1I\ W '(' '.t' ~ ~';:,
.;'"'~~'" - ,-+~~:~~~.. ~:., ~_ '11",r ~'_*
~ '..~ -"'" """ .~~:",-.:"'~ ./ ~. '".,.. - '~,.~ If~
~....~ ~ ii:~)' ~ ~ ' ,i'_.,'-' ~,
~~. "~t:, /.. . :~~. , . .:~. \2.:t},
ilt..~ '. .:. . d -W,'..' . /;
'J"'''. '., ......"'..< ~- " c< .' .', ",-:
" ... "w" ~ " >. """ -ll.1 ... .. d;, , _ _ ..""
, " 'l, ;.;~ :-~." ".":." ~~,:,';l-~:1~'
_OJ - .- . ~ "" ,# -~ ...\; \~ ~.- ,'-E i ~~ .....:,...
"" ;'if..": '"',":';r:,: ....w. ::_ '" ~~. {---'..,' - " '..- 1..J.:~.o "
...~~. . '''''' "',. '. ". ..'" '. . -;
"!" ~ . l ' . .~;, ~ ' , " '2~.:.~6 }O~51'
_7~'1 -.~ ' s,r' ,-,.;'9" '"
Image:5
This is an image of a tree that was
removed due to storm damage during
the grace period. Comparison to the
images 1,2 & 4 should leave the City
with no doubt that the tree above was
cut down illegally not in December of
2004 as claimed but within a time
period between July 2005 and August
19, 2005. I as would testify to that fact.
Image:6
This is an image that reflects the
current conditions of the property.
During the weekend of September 24,
2005 two (2) additional trees were
removed from the property. In addition,
a number of remaining tress were
"trimmed" and an ornamental shrub
was removed.
Is this in compliance with the permitting
requirements? Did the City approve
this?
Here in this series of code violations the City has been extremely lax in enforcing
its own Codes. The results are plain to see in the continued degradation in the
appearance of this property. Along with that goes the value of homes and
patience of those who live in this community.
Again we are asking you Commissioner Krebs and you Mayor Bush to come to
our aid.
I \ \ .
,I ~
Jo n . ickards
71JEndeavour Dr. S. and my neighbors that singed the petition