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Resident presses commission after two-year code-enforcement fight over River Ridge properties
Summary
A resident told the commission he'd repeatedly contacted 311 and code enforcement about blighted neighboring properties on River Ridge Drive and said little enforcement action occurred despite photos and visits; code enforcement said one property was in court and another has seven days to comply.
A River Ridge Drive resident told the Augusta Commission on Aug. 19 that he has spent nearly two years asking code enforcement, the marshals and 311 to address overgrowth, collapsing structures and property conditions at neighboring parcels — with no lasting fix.
"For almost two years since I bought the property... I've constantly raised pain about this with 311, sheriff's department, code enforcement," said resident Mike Samadi. He said he has recorded calls, sent photos and even had code enforcement visit the properties, but that conditions recurred.
Samadi said the problems affected his use of nearby property and his short-term rental income, and that recent events had left him fearful after he reported snakes and collapsing structures.
Code Enforcement Interim Director Greg Vassar told the commission that one of the two problem parcels (1020 River Ridge) was taken to court and the judge granted a continuance because the owner was making some progress; the other (1024 River Ridge) remained in due process with seven days to finish cutting grass. Vassar said the department has authority to cite and take persistent violators to magistrate court.
"As far as with 10:20, we have took them to court, and that was August 12," Vassar said. "1024, they are still in a due process. They have seven days to go ahead and finish cutting the grass. If they do not cut the grass, we will take them to court as well." 311 Director Walker said the 311 system does keep a record of constituent contacts, and that case records are maintained in the Cityview system even if multiple calls relate to a single open case.
Commissioners and staff discussed ways to add enforcement "teeth," including raising fines and reinspection fees and pursuing chronic-nuisance routes where property owners repeatedly fail to comply. Vassar said the department can raise fines and reinspection fees to create stronger financial incentives.
Commissioners acknowledged systemic frustration and told Samadi the commission and code enforcement would follow up. "We're gonna need y'all's help and we'd be here to full support you on whatever you need us to do," said Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle.
No formal action beyond staff follow-up was taken at the meeting; commissioners asked code enforcement to continue enforcement actions and to return with options for escalating penalties and faster compliance.
