Owner Of Jefferson Street Apartments Fails To Comply With Code Enforcement
WARSAW — Despite a civil penalty of $5,000 being imposed last month, the owner of 501 W. Jefferson St., Warsaw, failed to appear at the Department of Code Enforcement’s hearing held today, Sept. 18.
James Best owns the building, which is separated into four different apartments. Last month, he appeared in person and was informed of the 25 various code violations. Hearing Officer Lawrence Clifford implemented the civil penalty and demanded that smoke detectors be installed on Aug. 21. The hearing was reset to today’s date to see if any progress had been made on any of the violations.
City representatives advised that no progress had been made on the property. The health department had ordered the residence to be sprayed for cockroaches. Best previously advised that the residence was sprayed, but was unable to provide proof. City officials still witnessed cockroaches in the residence after the claim was made.
When a city official went to check if the smoke detectors had been properly installed, the tenants got into a verbal altercation with the official. The altercation revolved around an unplated vehicle at the residence that had already been tagged.
Clifford was not happy with the lack of progress and imposed an additional $5,000 civil penalty. The hearing was reset for Oct. 16. At that point, if no progress is made, the city may consider changing the repair order to a demolition order.
Brad Elberly, the owner of 1627 Fishers Ave., Warsaw, also failed to appear at the hearing. He rents the residence out to a tenant who has continuance garage sales and unplated vehicles in the yard. Both of these issues are against local ordinances.
Very little communication has been had from both the tenant and the owner. As of this morning, city officials still witnessed one vehicle without tires or plates in the yard. The city has already towed vehicles from the residence and will work to remove the final vehicle.
Clifford stated he will look into the ordinance fines for the property’s particular issues. The hearing was reset for Oct. 16.
In other news:
- The property of 212 Wedrick Drive, Warsaw, previously owned by Michael Bloom, has been resolved. The residence was recently sold.
- No progress has been made with the residence of 1422 E. Main St., Warsaw, owned by Stephen and Princene Moore. Clifford will consider demolishing the garage at the Oct. 16 hearing.
- The property at 900 Country Club Road, Warsaw, owned by Joshua Finch, has been reset for the Oct. 16 hearing. Finch has asphalted the driveway and is waiting on windows to be delivered. An inspection was ordered to be completed before the next hearing.
- Improvements keep happening at the Economy Inn, 3521 Lake City Highway, Warsaw. The hearing was reset for the Nov. 20 hearing.
- The appeal of the 519 N. Park Ave., Warsaw, property has been dismissed. Owner Faviola Duran has been making progress and hopes to have the porch finished this week. The order has been changed from a demolition order to a repair order and the hearing was reset for Nov. 20.
- The violation at 719 W. Market St., Warsaw has been resolved. The owners, Mitchell and Jennifer Dawson, moved and the general nuisance problem has disappeared.