HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-31 Email_Redacted1
Mezzapesa, John
From:Codron, Michael
Sent:Friday, March 31, 2023 9:15 AM
To:Mezzapesa, John; Buckley, Nick
Cc:Loew, Michael
Subject:FW: 657 Howard St Code Violations
Hi Nick and John, please see note below.
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From:
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2023 8:18 AM
To: Codron, Michael <mcodron@slocity.org>
Cc:
Subject: 657 Howard St Code Violations
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________________________________
Good Morning Mr. Codron,
I’m following up on code violations at 657 Howard St (). I first reported these violation
on December 15, 2022. It has been 3 1/2 months and there has been no visible corrections taken to any of the code
violations reported. I have followed up several times with Nick Buckley both over the phone and at the city counter
asking status updates. Additionally, emailed you over a month ago about this same
topic. Unfortunately, we have not been given any real updates besides that active code violations are pending at 657
Howard St.
I spoke with Nick Buckley earlier this week on Tuesday (3/28/2023) and he told me that he was not allowed to provide
me any updates. I don’t understand why the AskSLO app has tracking updates for things like this they are not accessible
to me in the system and your code enforcement officers are unwilling to provide any verbal updates. Some of the
violations I reported (items being stored on the roof and shipping container storage blocking the driveway) don’t take 3
1/2 months to correct. When I had one warning of a code enforcement issue at our property, we took care
of it within a few days, though, the notice said we would have 30 days or start incurring fines. I can’t help but feel that
there is some preferential treatment taking place as we were warned of fines very quickly, yet our neighbor is allowed to
continue month after month with the same code violations taking no action.
Additionally, I did not appreciate the tone of the conversation with Mr. Buckley. He was not present at the city counter
on Monday when I came in to pay fees associated with a new building permit. My neighbor from 657 Howard St
happened to be one person in line in front of me and I could easily overhear his unwarranted complaints about my
property and trying to find any way to make our lives harder by utilizing your department. There was no back and forth
as Mr. Buckley states. I was called to the counter next after my neighbor and I immediately asked for code enforcement
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updates and questioned why someone would be complaining to the city about parking issues when they themselves
have been blocking their driveway with a shipping containing for over a year (likely much longer) that I know of. Your
staff said Mr. Buckley would call me back with code violation updates at the property. However, Nick did no such thing.
He called me and asked “What’s up”? I explained, I’m just asking for status updates with code violations next door that
directly affect my family. This is where the tone turned sour and he took a standoffish attitude, providing no
information, and blaming me for causing issues at the city counter.
My wife and I just want to be treated fairly and have the code violations taken care of next door. The multiple sheds (5
or 6 that we can see) are a fire hazard and way too close to our property line (less than 1.5 ft). FYI, we obtained a lawyer
months ago when issues arose with our neighbor. I dropped off a property line dispute letter from my lawyer with your
staff several months ago. Bottom line, we won against our neighbor’s frivolous claims of an easement and
unwarranted attacks. Our neighbor has no right to be mad at us for fixing up our property and doing what we we want
on our side of the perimeter. Unfortunately, he has brought this dispute to your team and is trying to appear the victim.
He is not a victim and your team providing him months and months of leeway for continued code violations is definitely
not right.
Pease help me understand this situation. Thank you.
Best,