458 STORY FINALE
Why is this story over? The last tenant left in the house from before the purchase goes to court over an eviction order. This person has tried to pay rent to the new "Landlord" or the person who says he is and wouldn't except the payment, even a Church tried to help with the problem to no avail. They want her out. Talked with the assistant City Manager Doug Lewis about this house, and no reflection on him but I got the impression the city didn't want to get into a legal fight over what was happening there.
The thing made me think this way, when I mentioned it was grandfathered in as a 3 apt. House He stated if they were up to code they could make it a 4 apt.House. Its also very hard to get a judge to issue a warrant to see exactly what was going on there. I think the sidewalks on Meriden Dr. are a more pressing problem and one that city officals could deal with.
So remember the pictures and the heads-up when you see more of these "APTS." all over town and wonder, "How did this Happen?"
posted by terminator1 @ 1:38 PM
30 Comments
30 Comments:
None of this is a surprise. Many people tried to tell you there is right now nothing legally to do.
When people start moving in then start complaining to the city, from a fire code view the basement could be illegal, but until somone is actually living there no laws have been broken.
Anonymous is right. No violations as long as they obtain permits -- until someone lives there. For the City to enforce the ordinances on the books, they must have proof that people are living in the basement. You wouldn't want someone from the City to walk in your house and look around just because your neighbor reported some "strange" activities or people living in your basement, would you? I think not.
You cannot take a single family home thats grandfathered in as a 3 apt.house and make it a 4apt. house. maybe Rita will get them on the bedsheet drapes?
is there code against using bedsheets as drapes?
Sure is,passed in the last two years. Makes everyone at city hall feel like they did something, look it up.
KAREN
It is a legal non-conforming use as a three unit. The property is actually zoned commercial. The code specifically states that you can't change from one non-conforming use to another, which has been done. THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF CITY CODE.
The city will not let anything happen there that is not up to code, so just stop your crap.
Karen, You just have to crap on everything, the window covering code is a good thing, I see why everyone said you were on the list.
TERM, keep on it. If you see violations when the house is occupied then something needs to be done. I agree with the law and order to keep a town in check, so you are not wrong. BUT, enforcing laws on things that have not happened yet is a legal quagmire. Maybe even like the movie "Minority Report". The City needs to be able to see the problem in action to enforce it. Heck a store has to wait for a shoplifter to leave the store before they are stealing, otherwise, maybe they were just carrying the items to the front in their pocket, true. JT
you can say what you want... HOWEVER 1 PERSON PER 350 SQ FT. CAN AND SHOULD BE ENFORCED IN THIS HOUSE. this is the job of ward 1 councilperson to enforce. THAT WHY WE PAY HIM... city hall employee 1...
How do you prove someone is living in the basement, or even how many people reside there. The city can always claim ignorance,sweet.
To the above Anon, I accuse you of growing pot in your basement, I demand the city enforces the law.
Do you expect them to break down your door to prove it? How can they prove it?
It might not be what we want, but our basic freedoms hinge on our government having proof before they accuse us of something.
city hall employee 1...is anyone living there yet? If not, then what is enforceable? This is the basis of what I wrote above you. You can not enforce laws until they are violated, right? And last I checked council people do not enforce the laws here, but I guess that does not matter.
What would I do? I would go to the house, talk to the owner in a friendly curious neighbor kind of way. Find out what his/her intentions are. When and if he/she mentions the topic of living in the basement, after you slipped it into the conversation, kindly inform him that you know that to be a violation and he should not do that. If you see that things are violated afterward, then he did not heed your warning and shame on him/her. People will break laws for selfish reasons, no doubt about it. Greed drives this society and that will be the downfall of us all in the end. Look at the market, perfect proof of that. My guess, the property owner is polite and will seem concerned and blow you off like a bug on a windshield. Remember, don't back down, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. JT
Sure is,passed in the last two years. Makes everyone at city hall feel like they did something, look it up.
KAREN
I am impressed. She stated a fact and it answered a question and it was helpful to the discussion. Mark it on the calendar.
JT> I know for a fact 3 men are living in the basement right now. Whom shall I inform?
Term was made aware of this fact.
I would start with the council person and try to get resolve that way. They are your direct rep. and have the ears of the City. If they don't help out maybe consider contacting the building dept. and make a formal compl. Be prepared to leave your name and number, anonymous only works on blogs. Otherwise they will not have a name and a face to report back to when the problem has been addressed. Leaving a tip on a phone with no name attached to it will get no response 9 times out of 10. JT
JT you must alway's remember 4 council members gave us the current leadership. ONLY 12 MONTH'S FOR A POSTIVE FUTURE. a change on council in the next election is a good investment for the city' future... ALL 7 MEMBER'S WILL DO THE CITY CHARTER RULES.and become involved daily NOT LIKE THE CURRENT POLICIES. city hall employee 1
city hall employee 1-
What are you talking about? What does this have to do with anything? What do those 4 council people or Rita have to do with this guy's basement. Do you really think those 4 council people know about this and are covering it up? Do you want Rita kicking down the door herself and dragging the guy out of town? I doubt they would condone the living arrangements here. I just saw some guy speeding down route 20 in Painesville - should I blame it on the current administration? You have to go through the proper channels to get anything done. JT suggested a good way of handling it that will get results. You guys take any negative thing you can find and try to stick it to rita. This is absurd. Oh my God, I saw this person park at an expired meter and not put in any change. How could rita let this happen? She should be fired. She should be inspecting every parking meter herself. She must not care about the city.
Come on. We have people to enforce housing codes and people to ticket for parking violations. Rita and council, I don't care which members, don't have that power and should not have that power. They should not even pretend to have that power.
If you have a beef complain, but complain to the right people. If your complaint is not answered go to a council person. Who have you talked to and what did they say?
"I know for a fact 3 men are living in the basement right now."
I don't believe you. How do you know?
I know for a fact you grow pot at your house.
See just because I make accusations doesn't mean it is true. (unless I got lucky with this one) No cop is going to go kick down your door because I made a general statement like this. Especially if I just write it on a blog anonymously.
No, what we will do is wait until something really bad happens, then everyone will show their shock that something like this could happen here. Then Council and Rita will form a task force to get to the bottom of things. SHOCKING!
I know for a fact pot was growing in that basement.
Term. is growing pot
city hall employee 1, If for some reason making the complaint would not work directly "face to face" with the council member, then suggest that the council member be asked in open council meeting why there was no resolve, and or, what was the outcome of the violation. People, we have the ability to make a difference and if you know something is going on take care of business. No anonymous complaints or you will get no where. Get names of people that you talk to, let them know you are documenting the date and time that you have made the complaint and ask for a time frame to get the matter resolved. I bet you see a difference.
This works with many other situations as well, not just things of this nature. What you have to remember is that the City really does care about you, but sometimes they have an overwhelming task ahead of them and for no reason other that being overtaxed, things slip through. Make it your passion and work on one thing until completed.
Some people that fail to take responsibility themselves, will always look to blame others. JT
Why don't you people know that if you have a code violation complaint, you call, code enforcement at the Building Dept.
392-5931
JT come to the council meeting's and try to get a concerned situation solved. I will be there listing.. city hall employee 2.....
Listing what? This stuff never gets old. JT
They do not respond to complaints. My neighbor called the City on me constantly for frivilous items, like a pile of leaves that was about 2 inches high and 3x3 on the ground. I responded to the City with a letter and 8 photos of several code violations on his property, and they never did a damn thing. It is a joke at code enforcement. Not only did they not do anything, they couldn't even respond to my letter. Noell Siversten should be fired!
It is a joke at code enforcement. My neighbor would call on me constantly for extremely minor things. When I bought my house, the back yard was overgrown with weeds and shrubs that turned into trees. I ripped it all out, and it was sitting in a pile for a little over a week, while I arranged for someone to remove it. Sure enough, I got a letter from the City saying I was in violation of code, and I had to have it out of there in 2 weeks. It was the same stuff that was growing out of control for years, but since I cut it down, it was now a violation??
I received another violation notice for a pile of leaves that was about 3 inches high and 3x3 feet. I finally had enough, and sent a letter to the City with documented photos of my neighbors obvious violations, that the inspector would have easily seen when they came to investigate my leaf pile. They did nothing, and I never even received a response to the letter. Noell Sivertsen should be fired. They only answer to a few chronic complainers and chase the good people out of the City. Adios Pville!!!!!
I agree about Noelle. She should be fired. She does not do her job, and she retaliates on anyone that does complain about someone else. My wife told me to quit reporting violations because she was tired of us being hassled by Noell!
I do not know Noel Siverlsen from the man in the moon, but lets look at some of the facts. She goes about her job from orders from her superiors she takes direction from the top of the administration. Is your problems with her or the leadership of the city? Its almost like complaining about the price of gasoline to the cashier at BP? I must agree after watching that presentation at the last council meeting leadership couldn't help but feel embaressed. That plus the Meriden Dr. lady afew weeks ago, that told them off. Maybe its not Noel thats your problem but a Mr. Cox or the city manager herself.
All these problems are because ward 2 voted for Hal.
JR.
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