Staff reports
Clearlake >> City staff completed the abatement of two properties within Clearlake on March 31. Located at 14718 Emory Ave. and 14709 Palmer Ave., the two properties had become egregious public nuisances and health and safety hazards to the surrounding community, according a release from the Clearlake Code Enforcement Division.
Over the past two years, the Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Fire Protection District and City of Clearlake Code Enforcement had responded to these locations several times for violations ranging from trespassers and illegal occupants to fires being started inside the structures. Although declared unsafe for entry and occupancy, trespassers reportedly ignored these postings and continued to enter the properties, unkempt by owners, for years.
Many attempts had been made by code enforcement to contact the legal owners in an effort to reach voluntary compliance, according to the release. Once city staff determined there was a lack of voluntary compliance, they decided that these two properties were two of the highest priorities and would be a focus once funding became available for abatements.
In mid-2015, Clearlake Grants Technician Adeline Brown secured funding for the city through a Community Development Block Grant for the abatement of properties. Upon receiving the go ahead, Clearlake Code Enforcement Supervisor Lee Lambert and Brown worked hand in hand to move forward on these two projects, and on March 17 a superior court judge issued abatement notices for both properties.
“These two demolitions are the first two visible examples of the city taking steps to eliminate blight where the property owners have not carried through with their responsibilities to the community,” Clearlake Mayor Russ Perdock said.
The abatement costs for these two properties were far less than anticipated and, upon approval by the Department of Housing and Community Development, Clearlake staff plan to move forward on several more abatements within the city.
Staff has comprised a list of properties in which the violations are so extensive that abatement is required. Many of these properties are fire damaged properties, burn outs or abandoned properties which have become places where illegal dumping occurs.
According to Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom, “While the grant funding will not pay for the abatement of all the properties needing to be abated, it will make a significant impact on the health of our community.”
The city of Clearlake will continue to venture for funding for future abatements. In some cases, there may be no other option than abating a property, but code enforcement division will continue to make every attempt to reach full voluntary compliance, according to the release.
“Working alongside property owners is much more rewarding for both parties. For the property owner, it can create a bond with the city, knowing they are here to assist in bettering our communities. From the city’s perspective, voluntary compliance has much less of an impact on the City’s budget and shows encouraging signs that the community wants to move forward in becoming a more desirable and respectable place to live and visit,” the release stated.
