Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutV. COW Agenda Item Systematic Property Maintenance Inspection Summary Report 04/14/2009 Village of Mount Prospect Community Development Department Mount Prospect MEMORANDUM TO: MICHAEL E JANONIS, VILLAGE MANAGER FROM: DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DATE: APRIL 9, 2009 SUBJECT: SYSTEMATIC PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT Background An inspector was hired in March 2007 to begin this program to systematically inspect the community for code violations visible from the public right of way (primarily sidewalk). The goal of the program is to prevent blight and address code problems in the entire community thus preserving property values, improving the appearance of the community, reducing the likelihood of extensive repairs or demolition due to deferred maintenance, and supporting the Village's crime free prevention efforts. Inspection staff utilizes The Property Maintenance Guide as the inspection checklist for observing violations. Past efforts relied on problems being reported by residents or Village staff. This approach often left staff focusing only on the areas where persons reported problems, many times pitted neighbors against each other as persons tried to guess who reported the problems, and left areas with problems unattended as staff was focused on existing inspection programs and areas of reported problems. Program Start-up 2007 In 2007 the Environmental Health Inspector began the program by systematically inspecting the entire community while driving the streets of Mount Prospect. When a violation was observed the inspector would meet with the property owner by knocking on the door, discussing the problem, and determining a time limit for compliance. If no one was home, a hang tag (Appendix 1), Property Maintenance Guide, and business card was left at the house. The windshield survey generated 883 service requests. The data from the initial windshield survey was used to develop a systematic plan to inspect the entire community. Using the data the community was divided into four relatively equal geographic sections and inspections began on the North portion of the community. A report detailing the survey results was provided to the Village Board in the May 9, 2008 Project Report for the Coffee with Council (Appendix 2). 2008 - Present Beginning in April 2008 staff began inspections by walking the neighborhoods and viewing problems from the public right of way. To date approximately 30% of the Village has been inspected and staff estimates that the entire community will be completed by March 2011. Notice procedures have not changed from the initial windshield survey and when a violation is sighted a field inspection notice is issued to the resident. The time limit to respond for most violations is 14 days. The intent of a short time limit for a response is to establish communication and agree to a mutually acceptable compliance date. Past experience with longer time limits for a response often resulted in compliance delays and issuance of tickets because no one responded. If a violation needs immediate attention the deadline for compliance can be as short as 24 hours. During the colder seasons, when weather will not permit proper repair, property owners are given a compliance date of June 1 and a reminder letter is sent in the spring. Systematic Property Maintenance Inspection Summary Report April 9, 2009 Page 2 To date the program has been accepted by the community and staff has received few objections. Residents that are cited have been more receptive than in the past after they learn the problems (violations) were found because the Village is inspecting the entire community and not due to a neighbor complaint. Requests for additional time for compliance have been limited. Since the service request is not a neighbor complaint staff has found it easier to develop mutually acceptable deadlines for compliance. To assist those persons with hardships staff often makes referrals to the Neighborhood Planner who supervises the low interest loan program and Human Services Department for personal assistance. Where persons need extensions for compliance in other cases, extensions are granted as persons secure rehab loans, seek assistance from friends and relatives, or secure contractors. In condominium and townhome areas where the responsibility for the exterior maintenance varies with each association, staff contacts the association, explains the program, and invites the management and interested parties to participate in the inspection. When the inspection reports are completed they are initially shared with the association to determine which items are the association's or the owner's responsibility. In some cases, the association has forwarded the owner violations in their efforts to maintain the property. Other concerns that are being addressed by the systematic inspection program are gravel driveways and parking pads that must be corrected by 2015 and vacant homes found in foreclosure. Where gravel driveways and parking pads are found the property owner is sent a notice of the Village requirement. Many of the gravel driveways and pads were identified during the initial windshield survey. Foreclosed vacant homes have been identified as part of the program and are also reported by neighbors. When these properties are not being maintained by the owner, these service requests are reassigned to other inspectors whose responsibilities permit more prompt legal actions such as abatement, adjudication, or circuit court. Summary The Systematic Inspection Program has been well received by residents. They appreciate the Village's efforts to preserve property values, prevent blight, and support the crime free prevention efforts by making the community less conducive for crime by eliminating areas with the appearance of neglect. Staff has been flexible and adjusted procedures to work with townhome and condominium associations, continued inspections during the colder seasons, developed mutually acceptable deadlines for compliance for hardships, identified problems such as vacant not maintained properties, and identified rental dwellings that now must be licensed. The Systematic Inspection Program supplements the existing property maintenance and code enforcement efforts and helps ensure that property maintenance and related programs are addressed throughout the entire community. Overall, staff believes that the Systematic Inspection Program has been successful in achieving the Village's property maintenance goals. , hjr H:\ENVH\VBPresentations\Systematic Report\Systematic Inspection Summary Report.doc Appendix 1 cb Village of Mount Prospect Community Development 50 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 (847) 870-5668 Field Inspection Notice o 1a. Fence I Garage in disrepair. PM-302.7: All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair o 4. Peeling paint on the House I Garage. PM- 303.2: Peeling, flaking and chipped paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted o 8a. Accumulation of rubbish or garbage is on the property. PM-305.1: Properlies must be maintained clean and sanitary, and free from any accumulations of rubbish and garbage, o 8i. Improper storage of garbage and recycling containers. Sec. 19.202.A.5: Garbage, recycling, and yard material containers must be stored only in the garage or behind the front of the rouse, If these containers are stored on the street side of a corner lot, the containers must be screened by a fence or dense evergreen hedge, o 9d. Sign located at the right of way. Sec. 7.3018: Any sign located in the right of way (parkway) is prohibited o 10a. Grass I Weeds in excess of eight inches in height. PM-302.4: Grass must be maintained below eight inches in height, o 11a. Vehicle I Boat I Trailer is not properly parked. Sec. 14.2209: Vehicles must be parked on the driveway or in the garage, o 11b. Inoperable or unregistered vehicle stored on the property. PM-302.8: No inoperable vehicle shall be stored on the properly unless within the garage, o 12a. Gravel driveway in disrepair. Sec. 14.402: Any repair or restoration shall be done in compliance with current building codes, o 12c. The gravel pad used for parking is not permitted. Remove the gravel and plant with a suitable groundcover such as grass to prevent erosion, o Guide Item: _Remarks: Please correct by If additional time is needed, contact the Environmental Health Division at (847) 870-5668 for an extension, If the deficiencies are not corrected and our office has not been contacted, a $50.00 (minimum) citation will be issued Inspector: Date: Comments: I Appendix 2 Village of Mount Prospect Community Development Department - Environmental Health and Housing Division MEMORANDUM Mount Prospect TO: WILLIAM COONEY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FROM: BOB ROELS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANAGER DATE: MAY 9, 2008 SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & HOUSING DIVISION MAJOR PROJECT REPORT For 2008, inspections will begin in the section where there have been the most frequent problems and will eventually cover the entire community. Starting North of Kensington, inspectors will walk the neighborhoods viewing properties from the sidewalk 0 or public right of way looking for exterior property No",o....,lapol'l'"lb<'""",y"""",....loem"'''''lloioa... " ..."... violations that detract from the community's appearance and interfere with residents' safety and enjoyment of their community. Efforts to remain proactive throughout the community will continue. Updated information has been underlined. Systematic Property Maintenance Inspection Plan Draft From the data collected for systematic property maintenance inspections during 2007 through early 2008, 880 problems were observed and documented. Details are provided below and on the map. . 445 Property Maintenance problems observed . 213 Garbage/Debris problems observed . 117 Vehicle problems observed . 67 Grass / Weeds problems observed . 38 Misc./Other problems observed . 358 problems observed north of Kensington Rd. . 223 problems observed between Kensington and Central . 179 problems observed between Central and Golf . 106 problems observed south of Golf Rd. . 14 not shown Village of Mount Prospect Map of Code Violations -Gwooding Rouk:: Geocoding_fWllo-tdt._2 .. ~~~~'" c....... v CAt'~ 0, E~t(./tl O~lll"t o $<allffl o ~slt,"':ll e l'I:>):I"~(Mll . l;;VJM\::.t: t) "'*'.~'" o ""~"'~lM Map by Coovnu.ruty O'-<ffllopmtmt May 2008 \:) 1"~"'~~~"1! o ~~"'Il.~t!lt<t . $aflt'; 0.5 Miles 2 . 'Jie.l;...t~l:rJtt~ For all townhome and condo associations, a pre-notice letter informing them of the upcoming inspections will be sent. Conducting joint inspections and working closely with the associations is a primary goal.