Codes Anyone?

Driving through the UNIT neighborhood on the morning of July 8th  I noticed this lovely sight at the SW corner of 21st and University, specifically 2503 21st. Street.

What you can't see behind the illegally parked Ford pickup is a bunch of trash and indoor furniture on the front porch.  This is an obvious Tech student rental.    Over the Fourth of July weekend the greek letters SAE were plastered above the front porch.  I am sure the national office of that fraternity would be proud to see that.   I called the 311 to initiate a Codes Enforcement Action and urge any other concerned resident to do the same.

There are some really nice homes in our neighborhood. UNIT News will feature more unique homes in the coming weeks.  If you are tired of scenes like this,  I urge you all not to sit on your hands, but take action with the tools available to you in order to preserve our neighborhood.  Call Codes Enforcement;  report instances of more than two unrelated people living in single family home; call the property owners and document reportable conditions, don't let thoughtless and rude behavior slide.  

Meeting with Todd Klein Yields Results

Tech Terrace UNIT neighbor Kelly Pratas and I met with District 3 City Councilman Todd Klein on May 2nd to discuss codes enforcement and graffiti in the neighborhood.  Codes Enforcement officials Stuart Walker and George Torres joined us.  We discussed the various methods of reporting codes violations and how the reporting system functions.  Mr. Walker informed us that currently a codes inspector from another part of town is covering Tech Terrace and Heart of Lubbock due to the transfer of Dian Taylor to the Storm Water Department.  Mr. Walker is confident that he will be able to hire her replacement soon.  Mr. Walker also explained that due to the way the codes reporting system is structured, it is next to impossible for a citizen to receive follow up unless he or she calls the codes office.  Mr. Walker reported that reports of more that two unrelated individuals living together are down this year, but that party bus calls are up.  He also reminded us that the process for determining if a house is violation can be lengthy.  Mr. Walker reiterated that the biggest enforcement challenge is multiple out of town Tech Student Parents purchasing a home and loading it up with kids.  He encourages residents to report codes violation of any type to his office or to the 311. 

Mr. Pratas asked if property owners are notified when police are called to a residence. Councilman Klein said he would consult with the police department to verify that they are.  Mr. Klein also urges residents to call his office (775-2023) to report graffiti.  The defaced school crosswalk sign at 20th and Flint was remedied within 24 hours of our meeting.

We also discussed Wagner Park and the problematic issue of vehicles driving on the grass.  Mr. Klein expressed interest in having some Park Police but was not optimistic due to budgetary constraints.  He also suggested adding trees to the perimeter of Wagner Park to discourage unwelcome vehicles. 

We certainly appreciate the time Councilman Klein took to meet with us.  He remains a friend of Tech Terrace.

Codes Anyone?

The following pictures were taken in the alley in the 2800 Block between 25th and 24th Street.  This was reported to Codes Enforcement through their website in June but nothing has moved.

If you embiggen this picture you can see there is a CAR in the back yard. 

From the City of Lubbock Codes Enforcement Website:

Zoning:

Includes neighborhood issues such as parking unpaved, junk stored outside and RV storage, as well as commercial property uses such as sign allotment, property use requirements, and landscaping. Violations are usually given between 1 and 10 days to be abated

Junk Vehicles:

Applies to vehicles that are on private property that have expired tags or inspection and have not moved in 30 days. Process begins with notice of violation, and then a public hearing is held for a order of abatement to be issued so the vehicle may be towed.

Not sure why this didn't go anywhere.