Historical April 1990 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Approximately 12 inspectors from the City’s Building Division began door-to-door inspections of the exteriors of all buildings in our neighborhood March 1st.
The Division projected the inspections would take two full weeks, but they finished well ahead of schedule on March 9. “There were some objectors!’ said Jerome Turner, Building and Inspection Supervisor 1, “but the majority like this program because they know it keeps their property values up.
A good inspection program preserves the stature of the community!’ The exteriors of over 1100 buildings were inspected and over 700 of those were found to be in violation of one or more city codes.
The property owners with code violations were sent a cover letter and a list of the violations cited.
If you received a citation, please note that in the fourth paragraph of the cover letter it states “I have scheduled a reinspection of this premise on or about…” and it gives a date in May-60 days from the date the letter was written (date at the top of the page.) THIS DATE IS CORRECT.
In the next to the last paragraph, it states that ”…it will be necessary to refer this matter to the City Counselor’s Office for possible prosecution within the next 30 days, if compliance…has not occurred!’ THIS IS NOT CORRECT.
It should read, ”within the next 60 days:’ • The door-to-door inspections, when and how to get building permits to make needed repairs, and resources available to owners for making repairs have been discussed on these pages in the December, February, and March issues.
To reiterate some of the major points: The inspections occurred at the request of the neighborhood (through the Planning Committee and the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council) and Alderman Dan McGuire, as part of the Operation ConServ Program.
The inspections were no more severe than the random or response-to-complaint inspections that occur throughout the year.
City Codes cover basic building safety and maintenance which protect the property owner, often prevent minor problems from becoming major and more costly, and code enforcement improves neighborhoods and increases the value of property. Nearly all work on the exterior of buildings in our neighborhood requires a permit; call 622-3313 before you schedule or begin work.
Finally, the Building Division will work with you in correcting violations.
If you can’t comply with the code within 60 days, call the inspector who signed your letter and explain why.
The Building Division will grant extensions if you are making a good faith effort to correct problems.
The SDCC, at 862-5122, may also be able to help if they are aware of your special circumstances.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1990.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1990_04.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
