Tracy Press - Peeved about rundown homes

November 20, 2008 Tracy, CA

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Peeved about rundown homes

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Written by Shirley Seareous / Your Voice /
Friday, 25 April 2008
A Tracy resident notices declines in town since she moved here 14 years ago. EDITOR, I read Greg Terry’s op-ed piece (His Voice, April 16) with interest. I have also noticed similar declines since moving to Tracy more than 14 years ago. I’m concerned about the old, rundown homes. They are a blight, disasters waiting to happen, if they haven’t happened already. The same homes have been sitting empty since I’ve been in Tracy. The same owners have been allowed to leave these dilapidated homes, as is, for years. Who owns them? Why have our city officials turned a blind eye? It is irresponsible for a city to let such buildings sit in such conditions. The various mayors and councils of Tracy, over the years, have done almost nothing with these eyesores. Thereby, these elected officials have not done what is in the best interest of the residents of Tracy. These homes either need to be torn down by the owner, or the city should use its eminent domain powers and have them torn down. Enough is enough. The owners, who are likely paying $100 to $400 in property taxes on them a year, don’t seem to care about the properties. If or when something bad happens in one of these homes, the city government should be held responsible, because it allows these homes to sit in such disrepair for more than 14 years. This needs to be cleaned up. When will our city government get serious? Shirley Seareous, Tracy Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 694 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (32) Subscribe to this comment's feed Show/Hide comments ... written by Eric OBrian , April 26, 2008 Its difficult to parse exactly what the author wants the city council to do. Should they start buying up all the empty houses and drive up the price of homes? Does the author think Tracy is the only city that is impacted? Is the author implying that the city council has something to do with the real-estate downturn? I guess this is another One-TRAQC-mind? ... written by Christey , April 26, 2008 Some of these owners should start renting out their vacant homes. You know the rents are hela-high right now. Sheeeeeesh! ... written by notnice , April 26, 2008 All it sounds like is a resident fed up with unoccupied homes but I would like to know how Surely Serious got that name past the Press look-outs? ... written by Stop calling me Surely , April 26, 2008 Oh that was too easy. And didn't you ever watch The Simpsons? Don't you remember Bart calling the bartender asking for, "Al Kaholic"? ... written by Gerry Mander NG , April 26, 2008 Must have been more gerrymandering? Trying to stir the pot again. ... written by CMS , April 27, 2008 One viable option for the City of Tracy is to up code enforcement staff. Code enforcement officers typically enforce city law (ordinances), while police officers primarily enforce criminal (penal) and vehicular law. A strong, well-run code enforcement department/division will pro-actively address blighted properties (weeds, trash, appliances, furniture, etc), in addition to citizen complaints. If Tracy already has ordinances in place which regulate it, code enforcement can also address inoperative, 'junker' vehicles, lawn-parking, substandard housing, blighted/vacant properties, illegal businesses, illegal signs, illegal land use, etc. In all cases, the property owner(s) are held responsible and ultimately made to comply or face the possiblity of fines or other legal action such as abatements, property liens, or tax liens. In some progressive cities, loss of the property itself could be a consequence if violations are severe and ignored repeatedly. If problems such as vacant and/or foreclosed properties are addressed in a timely manner, it could greatly reduce the possibility of other problems cropping up in the immediate neighborhood such as; graffiti; vandalism; theft; loitering; 'crack houses' etc. These types of problems can lead to loss of property values, as well as quality of life and more importantly, overall public safety. Though I no longer live in Tracy, it is my understanding they DO have a code enforcement department, as well as a new City Manager. Now may be a good time for citizens of Tracy to speak up - via city council meetings, letters, phone calls, and emails - and direct city leaders to act accordingly. While most cities of Tracy's size usually only have about 1-3 officers, additional staff would be ideal to address the many 'growing pains' and extended development the wonderful town of Tracy has experienced over the last few decades. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 27, 2008 CMS, I have been saying that for months and months about getting more code enforcement but now there is a hiring freeze. They are inundated. But just to clarify a couple issues. The fire dept. deals with inoperative vehicles on private property and weeds. In addition to the above mentioned duties of code enforcement also enforce state laws concerning building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical code violations. There is currently no lawn parking ordinance in place ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 27, 2008 Shirley, The city does not have eminent domain as far as these private properties are concerned. If you want more info. go to city hall and discuss with building inspector or code enforcement. Christey, it is not that easy to rent out a home. It cost a lot of money to fix for inhabitants. No one has money. ... written by Christey , April 27, 2008 I know, maybenotdumBcomment. I was thinking that the city may want to consider giving some of these owners a break. You know kinda encourage that sorta thing. I think the banana once suggested that, but I could be wrong about him. Are you a property owner too? What do you think? As an owner myself I would like to see something like that. Not being pushy like other bloggers do. ... written by notnice , April 27, 2008 Ok, I've got to ask but I think I already know the answer. What is this "gerrymandering?". Does it have something to do with Garamendi? If you think that a vacant house may be a serious fire hazard, unsafe dwelling, or one that is used by squatters/drug addicts/students partying/etc, you can call that in to Code Enforcement and usually they will respond with the Fire Dept to check the property out. They will contact the property owner if they deem it necessary. Same thing goes for occupied homes whose residents let trash pile up around the outside of the dwellings or those residents who have vehicles parked in the backyard or on the sides of their homes behind fencing. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that vehicles can be parked on the sides of the homes only if the gas tank is removed or the vehicle is empty of gas. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 27, 2008 Christey, What kind of break do you mean? And how would the city decide who gets a break? There are incentive programs thru San Joaquin county for low income residents for the City of Tracy and for the downtown Tracy for single family dwellings thru the City of Tracy's Housing and Redevelopment program. Yes, gas can be in the cars when they are parked on their lawns. ... written by notnice , April 28, 2008 maybenotdumBcommenT.....Yes, cars with gas can be parked on the lawns in-front-of homes but I don't think they can be parked on the side of the house, behind the fence/gate, between two homes. I think it's considered a fire/haz mat hazard. To tell you the truth, cars parked on the front lawns make the homes look like junk too. ... written by HaveSomePride , April 28, 2008 I just want to say I am appalled by some of the homes in my development - Ryland Junction and the blatant disregard some homeowners have for their once, beautiful properties. At one time most of these homes were upwards of one-half of a million dollars. Now, thanks to the irresponsibility of homeowners whether it be through default, foreclosure, lazy landlords or the lack of understanding of the responsibilities entailed in owning a home my property value is plummeting! Take a ride down Rockingham Way and check out the caved in garage door with boxes and junk piled in front of it because it cannot be closed fully. Note Jed Clampett's car parked between two residences a few doors down while your there. Note the two foot high weeds and lawns around various properties too while you drive through, being careful of the trash left strewn about in the street while you're at it. While I recognize there certainly are some unfortunate former homeowners who lost their properties through life circumstances, most (let's admit it) found themselves in financial situations they were ill-prepared for to begin with. Others, it seems, are either incredibly lazy or just never should have bought a home in the first place. Come on people! ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 28, 2008 notnice, if you can get your car in your backyard, with gas in it, it is not against the law. I feel it is all an eyesore too. ... written by Cottoncandy , April 28, 2008 HaveSomePride. you may be able to report some of this to the fire dept. or code enforcement. Caved in garage door is a hazard. Call code enforcement. I tell you once they get their foot in the door it can start the ball rolling. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 28, 2008 If you don't call someone they won't know about it. ... written by notnice , April 28, 2008 maybenotdumBcommenT......In some other cities in the Bay Area there are city muni codes prohibiting parking a vehicle between homes or in the backyard. This code is enforced because the vehicle may have gas in it and could become a fire hazard. If you say it's ok in Tracy I'll have to go along with you because I haven't checked the city's muni codes. I know there is a vehicle towing company in town that won't park a wrecked car on your driveway if it cannot be driven and has gas in its tank. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 28, 2008 Well, just call code enforcement like I did and thats what they told me. We currently have no ordinance on what you can do with your lawn area, such as parking cars on them. Codes are different in every city. ... written by HaveSomePride , April 29, 2008 I have called the City... it took two phone calls and two emails :-, but they eventually responded and did an inspection of a neighbors property. The pool, which is green scummy water infested with mosquitos, has been stocked with fish (to eat the mosquito eggs). Problem is they did not treat the jacuzzi which does not communicate with the pool so it seems another call and several emails is in order Other posters are right about the parked car issue. The city of Tracy allows that - unsightly as it is. I'm not sure the car has to be operational either.. the one on my street hasn't budged in years, but that's okay with the city so... Weeds cannot be dealt with until they are over two feet tall and the city cannot enforce that you cut your grass according to the person I spoke with. Now, you might be asking what Codes the City does have, I am ... written by Elf's Evil Twin , April 29, 2008 tooooooo funny! Shirley Serious! Is she serious? You know we had this same problem at the NOrth pole, a few years back. But the elf city committee drew up it's own muni codes. Heck we got rid of all the minoritys (dwarfs) and spiced up main st. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 29, 2008 I don't think the City treats the scummy water. I don't like the parked cars on lawns either but it is their property and some people think they have a right to do with it what they want. I personally wouldn't do it. And I don't like looking at it. And as far as them "allowing it" is absurd as well as the one on your street. The little dig about them thinking its okay is absurd too, Remember, there are two Code Enforcement Officers for Tracy. Thats it!. They can only do so much. I think it is the fire dept. responsibility for inoperable parked cars on streets as per their request. I have read codes on the City of Tracy's web sight. Which part is Shirley not being serious about? or are you making fun again? ... written by Cottoncandy , April 29, 2008 EET, are you 2 again? Make some comments worth reading. Your na na na na na na attitude is stupid. ... written by K.D. , April 29, 2008 Report green pools immediately. That is considered a biohazard due to the West Nile virus. I agree, something should be done about all of the condemned properties I see, especially in the areas adjacent to the railroad tracks, on both sides. ... written by notnice , April 30, 2008 And what about boats parked on the driveways. Is there a muni code for that too? Some people park them there 365 days a year while others only park them there the day before or after they use them. Those are an eyesore too and they can be dangerous for people/children walking on the sidewalks because the tongue of the trailer sticks out into the sidewalk. If these boat owners only knew that they could be sued if you're injured. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 30, 2008 You need special suits for this stuff and code enforcement doesn't seem qualified. Definition of Biohazardous Material Biohazards are infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals ro the environment. The risk can be direct through infection or indirect through damage to the environment. Biohazardous materials include certain types of recombinant DNA; organisms and viruses infectious to humans, animals or plants (e.g. parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions, rickettsia); and biologically active agents (i.e. toxins, allergens, venoms) that may cause disease in other living organisms or cause significant impact to the environment or community. ... written by HaveSomePride , May 01, 2008 Just to clarify, the City will address pools (or any standing water on properties) and they, in fact, encourage citizens to report this as it is indeed a health risk. I reported the property adjacent to mine (described above) as it was evident there is a mosquito problem. The City will (to my knowledge) only place fish in the pool. The purpose of the fish is to eat the mosquito eggs, thereby controlling the population. So far I don't know what else can be done about the otherwise filthy, smelly water. I guess as a tax paying citizen, it's just my rotten luck having gotten stuck living next to a home about to enter foreclosure and I can just put up with the stench all summer. Not only do I have to look at this unkempt property, but my senses can be further assaulted by smelling it too! One last thought... who do we think is paying for the cost to the City for conducting inspections of these properties and so forth? I, for one, am sick of paying for these deadbeats. Sorry Christey, I disagree with you. Now we the taxpayer should offer deadbeat homeowners a break and help them out (financially) so they can unload the properties and responsibilities they've neglected? I don't think so. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , May 01, 2008 They encourage you to report standing water but they,(the city) don't directly themselves put the fish in. I say icky smelly water is worse then a barking dog. JMO ... written by HaveSomePride , May 01, 2008 maybenotdumBcommenT: Yes, the City will put the fish in the pool. They have done so in the case of my neighbor. Does anyone out there know how the City handles violations when the owner has abandoned the property? They left her a citation, but she is long gone... ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , May 01, 2008 No they don't, they "address it" as you put it, and they turn it over to San Joaquin Vector Control. The city does not have the fish at the office. If she abandon the home because of foreclosure then a bank will own it. There should be a card somewhere on the property or evidence saying it is foreclosed on. If that is the case then if you are lucky enough to find the name of the bank then turn them in to code enforcement or get a hold of a real estate person and for a small fee, if any, they can find out who owns it thru realty trac. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , May 01, 2008 I will check out abandon property on the City of Tracy's website and see if I can find anything for you. ... written by HaveSomePride , May 01, 2008 maybenotdumBcommenT: Sheesh don't get all literal on me LOL . When I said the City put fish in the pool I meant some entity responding to my complaint to the City did... okay so it was SJC Vector Control. Bring your rod and reel over someday, we'll go fishin' ! I do know for a fact already that she is in default - saw it on a Yahoo site. It's a "process" so I know eventually it will be bank-owned. Unfortunately, there are enough homes on my street in similar circumstances so I have seen the notices that are placed on windows and doors of foreclosed properties and, you are correct, they often state the name of the bank so I'll watch for that - thanks. ... written by maybenotdumBcommenT , May 02, 2008 HSP, Well OK, anyway, call code enforcement and the usually drain the smaller pools of water like the Jacuzzis and such. Good luck. This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment. You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
Last Updated ( Friday, 25 April 2008 )