Subscribe Here for News & EventsTALK BACK: Code Enforcement “sweeps” in the Cove
September 14th, 2008
FROM BATAVIA: There’s currently a Code Enforcement sweep going on in the upper/western cove. Two officers spent close to two hours on the last four southernmost blocks of Avenida Madero yesterday. I “chatted up” one of them, and he told me the entire Cove will be attended to in this manner.
I didn’t get tagged for anything, but probably 75 percent of the homes did….and some of the homeowners and renters are livid over what the City perceives as infractions.
Next door got a warning about a front yard tree which should be trimmed, and they were advised that the back yard must get some sort of ground cover (it’s currently weed-free, but natural desert soil).
Across the street got the notice for a portion of bubbling stucco (irrigation damage) on an inside-yard wall.
This sweep seems a bit heavy-handed, and it’s my guess that there are going to be some nasty exchanges, and some heavily attended Council meetings.
The Cove is NOT ruled by an HOA…
NOTE FROM MODERATOR #2 The City has been doing “sweeps” across the Cove for well over a year now, so we will all get our turn. No, we are not ruled by an HOA, but we do have a Municipal Code that outlines some general rules and regulations. See http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=261 at the City Website. The Cove Neighborhood Association website has section called “City Ordinances Made Easy” http://www.laquintacove.org/city-ordinances-made-easy/ that covers SOME of the regulations. So do your homework and check the legal regulations. If you choose to complain, at least know what the law states.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:22 am
This is exactly what The Cove needs. I still see inoperable cars parked on what was once a lawn, chain link fencing, and junk strewn yards. All in violation of our city codes. We should all take pride in our homes and go above and beyond what the Municipal code requires. I would love to watch the pride in our neighborhood grow.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I am always puzzled by the attitude of certain people toward Municipal Codes. They treat them as if they were not actual LAWS. If anything CODE ENFORMENT need to INCREASE until the eyesores are GONE for good. Nobody should be subjected to living next door to JUNK YARDS.
Just because we don’t have an HOA regulating the COVE, it doesn’t mean that we should accept lower standards. Instead we should all work together to make our neighborhood the best that it can be… and MORE.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I know the law, and have a pretty good idea of what code enforcement should and should NOT cover. Telling a homeowner to trim a tree (small, and yes “ugly”, but healthy and in the middle of a front yard) because it doesn’t appeal to Anthony Moreno’s eye is pushing it. Telling a homeowner to remove a horizontal flag hanger from his side yard because it’s a “setback problem” is pushing it. Telling a tenant to landscape a back yard (obviously not visible except to the officers having traversed the property) is pushing it.
I’m in total agreement with all here about the tons of vehicles and the obvious stuff….but once again, the City seems to want to establish too heavy a hand with some of their subjective calls.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Oh…one other thing; the timing of last week’s “sweep” was very poor, given the deadline of September 22 to rectify noted violations…
Half the homeowners up here still have the tags on the garage doors, being seasonal residents – and have no idea they’ve been tagged.
Poor planning…..not to mention that opportunists will now know of that many more unoccupied homes.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
This reply to Batavia Sept. 14 & 15 is being sent to explain why several issues were addressed as code violations. A tree that was requested to be trimmed was overgrown and blocking the dwelling mounted house numbers. The Fire Code requires them to be visible so they do not cause undue delay for fire, police or medical emergency response. We generally require groundcover in front and side yards but do not request landscape of rear yards. The purpose of requesting the removal of the metal rod hanging in the setback was because it restricts fire protection accessibility in the event a fireman with ladder is trying to access a rear bedroom in the event of fire in the dark of night. Many of our codes are in place for the benefit of public safety.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I wonder why the Code Enforcers find the need to hit all of the homes that are obviously lower income homes in the summer. I rent, but I got tagged over the 4th of July weekend a year ago. I was appalled at some of the statements made by the Code Enforcer. It is extremely difficult to do some of the work needed when it is 115 degrees out. Many of us who live in the cove don’t have the extra $500.00 to $1,000.00 to do instant work that they want. The time limit is ridiculous. They gave the medium contractors endless months to do their work. Possibly more time should be given to citizens. Isn’t it too bad that people can’t work together to help each other make this a friendly place to live. I have to live across the street from the most horrendous eyesore that exists in La Quinta and I have to put up with an endless supply of dust from that monstrosity. I am certain it can not possibly meet the La Quinta Code, so why the water company is allowed to let it remain in the present condition is beyond my understanding. I just have to look in other directions.
The one thing the City of La Quinta might want to do is offer special classes or training for the Code Enforcers to be able to talk to citizens in a more polite manner. I guess bottom line people who do not like the way they were treated should go to the meetings and really pay attention to the responses because elections are coming up.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I’m calling “foul” on post number 5…..Mod, please look into the poster who can’t even spell Anthony Moreno’s name correctly.
Whoever is representing himself as Moreno needs to take another look (regarding the claim of the tree “blocking house number). Flat out B.S.
….Going on record right here: I’m ready to snap some pics of some of these “violations” and forward them to the Mods for placement right here.
One final thought….there’s a certain residence uptop the cove which is owned and occupied by a City Councilperson (word used so as not to give away the gender, if y’all get my drift…..) that has “visible trash containers”. I’d like “Antony” to address whether she (er…the Councilperson) has been so tagged.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
BATAVIA: Post number 5 is indeed from Mr. Moreno. I personally verified that. However since Mr. Moreno submitted his comment via our TALK BACK form, I did post it on his behalf and in the process misspelled Anthony. So no need to calling “foul.”
September 15th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Batavia: I have been a subscriber since the beginning of this website and I notice that your comments, no matter what the subject, are agressive and most times incorrect in your assessment and observation. This issue is the same. The Municipal Code is the lawful statement of this issue. There is no need to ridicule an employee doing the job that they have been hired to do. If someone is away for the summer it is still their responsibility to maintain their property. I do not think these issues relate to HOA or country club rules but relate to proper maintainence to comply with the code and adhere to public safety. Please stop your personal and mean spirited attacks. Working for solutions is a much more productive activity.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I guess Mustangsally is correct. If we do not agree with the system that is being forced upon the people in the Cove and the decisions that are being made then we should just remain silent and accept it. It does not matter if you accept the interpretation of the Municipal Code, or not….just accept it. No rights to object….just remain silent and allow abuses to occur. Interesting philosophy. It would be interesting to see a report of break ins and burglaries on places where the signs remain for a long time. Perhaps a good neighbor would remove the sign and let the City know that no one is at that address until October, or whenever. My friend notified the Code Enforcer that she would not be in the State until September and the Code Enforcer gave her a citation while she was gone and unable to meet the deadline and she was then fined. Nice way to create good community feelings.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Fascinating! All these stories of abuse by City Employees. Too bad that when these stories are investigated they turn out to be either highly inaccurate or straight out lies.
ENFORCE THE CODES = CLEAN UP THE JUNKYARDS!
FASTER PLEASE!!!!!
September 16th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Wow. This pendulum is swinging back and forth with warp speed. Somewhere between the “clean up this place fast” folks and the out of town and other “victims” there must be some middle ground. I don’t think anyone who lives in the Cove wants us to have unkept neighborhoods. Neither do any of us want unrealistic expectations. Anyone with a complaint should be asking for an appointment with Deby Conrad or Tom Hartung. Call the City and ask for one of them. Or email them at the addresses listed at this website. There is middle ground that will accomplish progress in the clean-ups and get at the safety issues. Come on, folks, you’re not helpless. If you think the system or a staffer is unfair, take it to the staff person that can help. Don’t just complain here…