Lakeside Residential Neighborhood Code Compliance Initiative: On August 10, 2021, the Community Enhancement Division started a new residential neighborhood code compliance initiative, initiated in the southwest area of the city, including the Lakeside neighborhood. Additional focus on different areas and neighborhoods throughout the city will be conducted in the coming months.
In the Lakeside Neighborhood 116 properties were found to have violations. The properties were issued a courtesy notice or a notice of violation to correct the issues. The properties were cited for various reasons including but not limited to, commercial vehicle parking, trash and debris, non-compliant fencing, disabled vehicles, and overgrowth. These properties were given a reasonable time to comply, and the Division is working with the owners to bring their properties into compliance. To date 110 properties have complied, the remaining properties will be brought before the Special Magistrate if necessary.
Prospect Gardens Residential Neighborhood Code Compliance Initiative: In December 2021, Community Enhancement started an initiative in the Prospect Gardens area, focusing on quality-of-life issues. A team of officers contacted many owners or tenants and informed them of various Code Ordinances, and correction methods. During the initiative, 71 properties were found to have Ordinance violations, and the cases are currently active and will be monitored until compliance or brought before the Special Magistrate.
Outdoor Display Initiative: Currently, many businesses throughout the City place items outside to attract attention, many times these items are placed in required parking areas and are not conducive to the look of the area. The Community Enhancement Division, working with the Zoning Department revised the outdoor display permit process to better control the safety, lack of parking, and overall appearance of the commercial corridors. Code Officers have visited various businesses with outdoor product displays, informed them of the Ordinance and provided them an outdoor display permit application. Properties that neglected to apply for the permit were issued a Notice of Violation. This is an ongoing project, with future updates to be presented.
Lien Compliance Initiative Update: This Quarter, four (4) liens were settled totaling $35,295. The collection effort added $28,236 to the City to offset expenses. Staff in partnership with Orange Lien Data are diligently working with property owners towards compliance and settlement of code enforcement liens.
This Division will continue to work with the public and City vendor to reduce the unsettled liens. Working with the Business Regulatory Unit Community Enhancement is continuing to notify Businesses that have not renewed their Business Tax.
Commercial Outdoor Storage Update: The Ordinance establishing standards for outside storage and fencing of commercial and industrial properties went into effect on July 3, 2020, staff identified 210 businesses that required compliance with the new Outdoor Storage Ordinance.
The Community Enhancement Division has collaborated with owners of 167 properties that have complied, leaving in the last quarter 36 properties left to comply. During the Covid-19 outbreak and the business decline, only 13 businesses were cited for the outside storage violations. These 13 were the most egregious violations and did not want to work with this Department. Since the Statewide relaxing of Covid restrictions, and the City getting back to normal, staff is actively addressing the 34 businesses that have not complied. During this initiative, the businesses were notified a minimum of four times, this includes on-site visits, informational letters that were mailed, and Hearing notices.