RECENT COMMENTS
then it happens to you…
Here are some of the latest updates:
- A building permit application was filed TODAY!
- An inspector has been assigned
- Owner was cited for external changes without certificate of appropriateness on 11/27/2017
Just wanted to share with neighbors that there has been demolition and construction work done recently in our neighborhood that completely ignores basic requirements for the health and safety of our community, and shows a flagrant disregard for regulations that ensure all work is approved and inspected. This is reckless, irresponsible behavior (looking at you,”flippers”).
“Duh, of course that happens around here”, but then it happens to you. Yes, I was naive and relieved that the neglected, empty house next door might be rehabbed into new life after years of sad circumstances and an auction.
Don’t assume just because there is a permit in the window that due diligence has been exercised. After two months of extensive gutting and new construction on the row house with which I share a common brick wall (140+ years old), I became aware that the work was done without approved planning, permits and inspections. The possibility that the structural integrity of the wall adjoining my property has been compromised or worse, causes me to question living safely in my own home until inspections are done. On January 11, last week, the only record of an issued permit for this particular job site was for a dumpster! Who will get to finish line first, the city inspectors or the flippers?
Hope this info may be of use to someone else and awareness may help us look out for each other a bit more.
To check on permits and inspections go to the Permits Web Inquiry to do a search by address. It will show both issued permits and inspections.
I hope that you called the city and spoke with the contractors and developer. The only way things get fixed is when we speak up.
Sound like you making friends, Not! I’d be pissed too!
This is a serious and important issue. Thanks for bringing this up. Unfortunately I see this a lot, all over town. If you report it to the City they will put a stop work order on the building.
Who are the flippers? A name would be helpful.
Have you called CAR? If your home is as old as you say and in our neighborhood, chances are they have architectural and suitability review over any permits that might be needed. They are very quick to respond. I called them one day regarding some site changes that were happening to an empty lot near me. Truly just out of curiosity as to ‘what was going to be build there?’ It turned out the developer did not have a permit, and they were stopped cold, within 24 hours.
I had something very similar happen with the house adjoined to mine. I honestly have no idea the level of damage they’ve inflicted on that house–or mine. The new owner sent in a team of guys he hired from Craigslist to come in with sledgehammers. They started taking down plaster walls. It wasn’t until I mentioned that there was a good chance there was asbestos and almost certainly lead paint that the workers stopped. This is after dust started pouring into my upstairs neighbors’ apartment.
At least your folks had the decency to get a dumpster. These folks put together one made out of particle board and planks of wood.
It took repeatedly contacting the city permit and inspectors offices to get this handled. At one point I came home on a lunch break and found a new crew of guys at work and called the inspector, who made an immediate visit. That was probably the 4th call.
Document everything, including who you call and when you call.
The house next door now stands empty, with windows ajar and its doors padlocked closed, and a few notices of violations taped to the door.
Haven’t seen the new owners in over 6 months. I am wondering if they realized they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.
Good luck!
Gustavo, how could you be “…a bit speechless…” about this? It’s not news, sad as it is when it hits close to home.
Many residents can document with photos and email communication with city staff that buildings are demolished on weekends or holidays, without permits; whole-house renovations are done, without permits…and then sold, most likely without full disclosure; work is done on and in buildings which sport condemned stickers; work is done on and in buildings for which there are active “Stop Work Orders.”
I know of one local and ONGOING situation which involves multiple violations, with photos and numerous emails from city staff admitting culpability and making promises…that’s been in the works since 2012 with no substantial action by the city to stop or rectify the situation.
The sad truth is that the CAR has become very slack in recent years. The once strict city enforcement department who often cried “false historicism” now casts a blind eye to anything that is not reported.
The city Building Permits site is not user-friendly as it once was. It once posted the history of permits and inspections along with all notes associated with each. Not any longer. And doubt their database is completely updated?
The city, as usual, can care less about historic structures or proper preservation. But skipping inspections is inexcusable, especially when shoddy work can cause property damage and even death.