Man pleads for his home.

[uptowngirl]

Time to go to council again?

[sheclown]

It is the city council which sets these ordinances -- Code is doing what its boss, the city of Jacksonville, tells it to do.  Until the ordinances are rewritten or amended, it will not change.

@ Uptown...absolutely.  No other remedy.

[uptowngirl]

And if the worse does happen, video tape and pictures to be spread around with the letters. This house is not failing, this house, while not livable is solid. Does the city have a structural engineers report? (I doubt it) but if they do a visit with the engineer is called for also. If the city is basing the destruction of historic properties on whether they are painted, and habitated, well I have know of a few new subdivisions with half finished houses just sitting-why are those not being fined and demolished??!! Ready Dr. Gaffney's letter made me think of an angry child. What happened to Dr. Gaffney wanting to help this homeowner?

[ChriswUfGator]

I see Code Enforcement certainly hasn't changed one bit...

FWIW, the owner certainly has the right to be on or about their own property, Code Enforcement's legal interpretation is laughable on that point. Did these Code Enforcement idiots properly serve the owner with the notice of violation and the notice of hearing before the special master? Can someone get a copy of the judgment issued by the special master?

[Dog Walker]

With the exception of Bruce Chauncey that is, he was always the reasonable one over there.

Second that opinion from my experience.

From the pictures, that house has some really nice interior details.  Love the archways.

[uptowngirl]

When the city foolishly follows this theory of "take down the house and all will be well" this is what happens:













This is safer? Any idea how many  rats, mice, roaches live in these mini little jungles? How much crime occurs hidden by view of these overgrown lots? 

[uptowngirl]

The city should be TAKING these properties and acutioning them off so someone who will take care of them!

[sheclown]

Just returned from the city council meeting.  Jeff made another plea, half angry, half crying.

Jack Webb put his foot down and called for a Noticed Meeting to deal with his house.


It is so very sweet when simple people with heavy hearts are listened to by their leaders.  

Makes me want to dance.

[CS Foltz]

Webb huh? I am making a list and he just got added to it! This council, with few exceptions, appears to pander to a select few and the voters ain't them! Gaffney is a charter member with all of the help he has provided! Something is wrong were when things are bulldozed down because of supposed Code Violations and you end up with what............an overgrown lot? I wonder if the City can fine itself, since this is their doing? Maybe we should call Code Enforcement and report those overgrown lots!

[sheclown]

From: Scott, Kimberly [mailto:KSCOTT@coj.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 9:51 AM
To: Eddie Johnson; Jeff Waltz; Lee, Denise; Johnson, Glorious; Webb, Jack; Teal, Jason; Gaffney, Johnny; Peyton, John
Subject: RE: Waltz/Johnson Information Request



Mr. Johnson, the city does not demolish buildings, due to non-payment of liens and taxes.

The property is released to a contractor for demolition; change in ownership does not prevent demolition.  A Notice of Pending Lien, which notifies any prospective buyer of pending action and subsequent (demolition) lien, is filed on public record at the Clerk of Courts’ Office.

Kimberly Scott, M.P.A., Chief
Municipal Code Compliance Division
Environmental and Compliance Department
407 Laura Street, N., Ste. 200
Jacksonville, FL  32202

Mrs. Scott;

I appreciate your assistance with this matter.  Simply stated, I was looking for assistance from you regarding what would be required of me if I purchased this building.  I was interested in doing so because I believed that it would be a good rehab project.  However, since it appears that you are unable to assist me by providing a complete answer I am unable to proceed any further with my negotiations.  Having been a long time resident of Springfield I find it unfortunate that the city has taken the position that you have stated.  Having been a member of the Code Enforcement Board for this area, it was my understanding that the purpose for the fines was to push an owner to do something with the property or sell the property to someone who would.  In this case, new ownership is thwarted by the City because no person would make an investment in a property with 255,000.00 of liens that continue to grow + rehab cost etc.  Additionally, with the liens on the property banks will not provide any form of financing for the construction to take place.  With this posture from the city all vacant homes in Springfield similar to this will ultimately be demolished and the city will be the owner of many new vacant lots in a grand neighborhood.  Thank you again for your assistance.



Eddie Johnson

President

W.E. Johnson General Contractors, Inc

CGC1507130/QB68490

[Ernest Street]

I'm a Riverside 2-story restoration owner,and have been working in Springfield a lot lately and see the platoons of city vehicles "Cruising for Trouble"
I am absolutely blown away by the efforts and expenses that some homeowners have gone to to rekindle the flame of an old handcrafted house.  Hey look at the size of their recent roof jobs!! WOW!  Just the Porches in Springfield are to be commended, we don't have these in any other part of our city.
It seems to me that the "Ideal Jacksonville resident" is viewed as the "Ponte Vedra Model"
the city is so blind to resources and possibly wealthy people that don't work for a bank or "Good ole boy club business" (think Richard Branson.
I have met some of these folks and don't see them so much as visionaries but as simply clear thinkers.
i may be biased as a restorer, but it takes a special kind of Man and Woman that restores and really learns about their residence.

The "PonteVedra Model" thinks this is just all "TOO ICKY" and it might ruin their manicures.

I also won't go into detail...but let's just say I have seen dirt and pet contamination in Large Marsh Landing and PonteVedra homes.Their s*** stinks just like everyone else.

On a fun note...remember these houses were mostly built with no A/C..fans..power tools....and some good 1920's moonshine!

[iloveionia]

+1 Eddie Johnson
+1 Uptown

[uptowngirl]

So Kim says the city "does not demolish these houses" they just give out a contract to do so!  How is this NOT demolishing houses? So I have to ask does she think we are this stupid, or is it her?

[nvrenuf]

Okay, I wasn't that good at economics but how can the city afford to pay the cost of demo which has to be at least 10k? Boarding it up, as provided by their own ordinances, would cost less than a 10th of that. It just isn't good financial sense to demolish.

[sheclown]

20k