Sweep of Westside code violators nears end

Jennifer Kho

WESTSIDE -- A program to ensure that Westside homes and businesses are

up to snuff is nearing the end of its first round.

Code enforcement officers “have been walking the streets, block by

block, and going after the worst offenders,” said Don Lamm, deputy city

manager and director of development services. “I’ve had letters from

people that there is a noticeable difference and that neighborhoods look

much better.”

New property maintenance codes went into effect in August, and the

methodical sweep began in December, said Sandi Benson, the city’s code

enforcement chief.

The property codes prohibit peeling paint, dry rot, broken windows,

torn screens or deteriorating walls. They also require that sidewalks or

parkways must be free of deteriorating fences or signs, dead or dying

plants, and litter or weeds.

In addition, residents cannot live in a recreational vehicle or

garage.

Benson said many of the homes that violated the codes included peeling

paint, broken fences, tarps and a lack of landscaping maintenance in the

frontyards.

“It was the general upkeep of the properties structurally and the

frontyard areas,” she said. “I think a lot of people have noticed a

difference. It’s amazing how much community support we’ve received.

“There is still a lot out there, but the most blatant violations

certainly have improved,” she added.

With businesses, Benson said the code enforcement department found

violations mainly relating to window signs.

The code enforcement department expects to finish its first sweep by

July 1 and then to follow up with routine patrols, she said.

“We’re just getting the worst cases, the most obvious ones, this first

time out,” Benson said. “Then we will go back and do the rest. And we

check up, because sometimes the violations come back again.”

In the beginning of the program, the city received a number of

complaints from residents who said they felt bullied by code enforcement.

But Lamm said the number has dropped to zero complaints in the last six

to eight months.

Janice Davidson, chairwoman of Citizens for the Improvement of Costa

Mesa, said the code enforcement has definitely improved the Westside’s

appearance.

“They stepped on a few feet in the beginning, but they have come along

solidly all along the way,” she said. “They just keep plugging along, and

I think they’ve made a great improvement. We are in a much happier state.

They’ve done a great job, and I’m really proud of the city.”

Eleanor Egan, co-chair of the Westside Improvement Assn., said the

first sweep has been “a good start, but there’s a lot more to be done.”

“You can just drive up 19th Street or Placentia Avenue and see places

that are nowhere near compliant,” she said. “After this, they can just

start over again.”