Lompoc files petition to take control of resident's property

On July 13, Lompoc filed a petition for receivership in Santa Barbara County Court to take control of resident Sterling Ranft’s property located at 219 and 215 North L St., to repair portions of his house, according to City Administrator Patrick Wiemiller. 

In August 2015, the Sun profiled Ranft’s drawn-out battle with the city in making certain repairs to and cleaning his property, conditions of which the city has continually said are unacceptable to live in and violate city code ordinances. 

click to enlarge Lompoc files petition to take control of resident's property
FILE PHOTO BY KAORI FUNAHASHI
CITY FILES FOR RECEIVERSHIP: Lompoc filed a petition on July 13 to take control of Sterling Ranft’s property located at 219 and 215 North L St. The city said the petition is necessary to repair the code violations on Ranft’s house, which is among the oldest in the city.

An inspection by city Fire Marshal Dena Foose, following Ranft’s arrest for an alleged butane hash oil lab in April 2015, documented several violations, including recreational vehicles on the property, electrical hazards, and general dilapidation of the house—which is among the oldest in Lompoc. 

The receivership isn’t necessarily to take ownership of the house, Wiemiller said, but merely to make the needed repairs, which he said Ranft has had plenty of time to do. 

Wiemiller said that it’s still possible for Ranft to make repairs, although he added that it would be very difficult given the “extreme nature of the conditions of the building.”

“[The city] isn’t taking ownership,” Wiemiller told the Sun. “It’s being appointed to act on behalf of the owner and it could be handed back to Sterling.” 

However, the city would place a lien on the house for the cost of the repairs, and Ranft would have to pay them back. If he doesn’t, Wiemiller said, the house could be sold, with the city taking a portion of the sale to cover the repairs and the rest would be given back to Ranft. 

There are several tenants at the property located at 215 North L, although it’s unsure if they have a formal lease agreement with Ranft. If they don’t, Wiemiller said, they could be forced to move. 

It would be difficult for Ranft to make the repairs at the present moment, since he is facing a trial for attempted murder and various other charges stemming from an incident on March 11 when allegedly he shot a man who he believed was trying to attack him with a knife. 

As of July 19, Ranft’s court-appointed attorney, Adrian Galvan, had concluded his closing statement to the jury. 

If convicted, Ranft faces life in prison. 

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