Code Enforcement Complaints Lead to Review of Crackdown

DOWNEY —  The City Council has decided to review the city’s aggressive code enforcement program after about 20 irate residents complained that they had received warnings for violations such as parking motor homes and trailers in the driveways of their homes.

The council adopted the program at its Nov. 10 meeting. Under the program, city code enforcement officers actively seek out residents in violation of municipal codes. Before, warnings or citations generally were issued only when a complaint was received.

More than 200 warnings have been issued since the program went into effect, said Scot Yotsuya, assistant to the city manager. If the problem isn’t corrected, a citation is issued.

Robert Schroeder received a correction notice warning him that he was violating city law because his motor home, which was parked in his driveway, was blocking access to the garage of his Tecum Road home.

“I really can’t see what business it is of the city what I do with my garage,” said Schroeder, a retired veterinarian. Schroeder said some type of recreational vehicle has been parked in his driveway throughout the 34 years he has lived at the house. Other residents at Tuesday night’s meeting complained that they had received warnings for violations such as improperly located trash cans or because a portion of a parked car was blocking a sidewalk.

The council directed City Manager Don Davis to review the warnings issued. Mayor James Santangelo indicated the city probably would pardon the warnings issued to residents for motor homes parked in their driveways, but would not forgive other violations.

“It is not our intent to let other citations go by the board,” he said.