CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The city’s Code Enforcement Department tells the Troubleshooters they’ve received complaints about a house in Flour Bluff for 5 years. They’ve gone out and cleaned it up, but some of the neighbors have contacted us, saying the house is still a mess.
So we called Code Enforcement.
Sure enough, a contractor, hired by Code Enforcement, was cleaning up the outside of the house on South Sea Drive this morning.
Code Enforcement first served the owner of the property, listed as Stephanie Michelle Velasquez, a warrant, allowing them to abate the property.
They were cutting down tall grass and weeds, removing debris from the property, and there was a car parked in the yard.
Liza Lopez with Code Enforcement told the Troubleshooters the Department has received complaints in the property as far back as 2013. She said the city has sent notices to the property owner, letting her know something had to be done.
Plus, neighbors were complaining.
"They will have seven days to comply. After seven days have passed, a re-inspection will be done. If they’re still in non-compliance, a citation will be issued, letting them know a warrant for abatement will be sent to clean up the property," Lopez said.
The Troubleshooters first visited the house on October 28. No one answered the door, but neighbors who spoke with us, wondered what was going to be done about this place.
"When does the city come out," asked Trace Weaver, "and make it mandatory where you come out and clean up the property?"
Neighbors recalled incidents with rodents and snakes.The city’s response to an Open Records Request filed by the Troubleshooters shows there were incidents involving dogs, rodents, and snakes.
The property owner will be responsible for paying the contractor for the clean-up. Approximately $400.00; and if they don’t, a lien will be placed against the property.
