Historical February–March 2001 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Starting some time in April 2001, special teams of inspectors from the City’s Building Division will begin work in Skinker DeBaliviere to conduct a door-to-door inspection in our neighborhood.
The SDCC had requested this code enforcement.
However, the city’s Department of Public Safety decided to institute exterior code enforcement in every city neighborhood every three years. Skinker DeBaliviere was selected for the first year.
The inspectors look at the exterior of your home and property.
If any violations are noted, you will receive a citation. You have two months to correct the violation.
If you notify the inspector that this is not enough time to complete the repairs, you can receive a two-month extension. Extensions are possible up to a period of 16 months.
All neighborhood residents are invited to a meeting on Thursday, April 5 at 7:00pm, most likely at the social hall of St. Roch Church.
Please call the SDCC at 862-5122 to verify the location. Building Division personnel, the Neighborhood Stabilization Officer and others will answer your questions about the process to be followed if your home is cited for one or more violations.
An information packet has been prepared by the Residential Committee to help you identify resources in the community to help you make the necessary repairs to your home’s exterior. Many of these programs have varying requirements. Generally they are targeted to low income applicants. Unfortunately, not everyone who needs assistance will qualify for these programs, which frequently are underfunded.
We have also included information about the Missouri Historic Tax credits, through which money spent on repairs may be converted into state income tax credits.
These tax credits are also drawn from a limited funding pool.
The time and location for this meeting had not been confirmed as we went to press. Be on the lookout for brochures and signs announcing the meeting time and location, or call SDCC at 862-5122.
Following is a list of some of the most commonly occurring violations cited during door-to-door inspections.
This list is not inclusive of all the pospossible areas that could be cited, but it provides a common-sense guideline to the sorts of issues the inspectors might raise regarding your property: Walls — Tuckpointing, painting, shifting, cracking, bulging, loose siding, etc.
Chimney — Tuckpointing, loose bricks, etc.
Porches — Tuckpointing, structural components deteriorating, handrails, siding, etc.
Doors — Broken glass, painting, securing, screen doors torn, etc.
Basement Areaway — Tuckpointing, painting, securing, handrail, drain, debris, trash.
Retaining Wall — Tuckpointing, cracked/bulged, collapsed.
Premises Walk — Cracked, shifted.
Windows — Broken/cracked, need painting, screens, trim.
Gutters & Downspouts — Defective, need painting, sewer connections faulty.
Parking area — Surface deterioration.
Fences — Defective, need painting.
Autos — Unlicensed auto in yard.
Garage — Painting, tuckpointing, gutter and downspouts, doors, windowpanes, securing structural cracks and shifted walls.
Open Storage — Trash and debris, bricks, appliances, lumber, etc.
House — Front and rear numbering.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2001.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2001_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 12; PDF page(s) 1, 12.
