Sun Staff Writer David Minsky interviewed and quoted me for the July 30 story “Battling the city: A Lompoc resident fights with code compliance over what he sees as ‘un-American’ treatment of a homeowner.” I was accurately quoted, and I have no quibbles about the balance of the story.
However, I reviewed the pictures and the substance of the allegations of the city’s action. The site reminds me of Jesse Pinkman’s house in Breaking Bad with the graffiti on the walls. I think that the city of Lompoc is proceeding fairly and according to law. With property rights in California come responsibilities, particularly when it comes to a heritage home like the one in the article. In fact, the city was more than fair in granting an extension of time before it performs an abatement.
Based on my 14 years of code enforcement experience (both representing the cities and residents with code enforcement problems), I would say the city’s actions were appropriate. If I were advising the city of Lompoc, I would recommend a slightly heavier hand. California Health and Safety Code section 17980, et seq., provides an important tool to California municipalities in cases such as these. There, the court can appoint a receiver that can correct the violations. Code enforcement is a powerful tool in making neighborhoods whole and remedying blight that can bring a community to its knees. It should never be used for revenue enhancement or to settle political scores. Cities must use it wisely, and by every indication, the city of Lompoc has done so.
This article appears in Aug 6-13, 2015.
