Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City highlights problem‑properties work; council accepts report and praises intern effort
Summary
Lowell staff and an intern outlined efforts to target problem properties; council accepted the report and praised a data-driven outreach effort that led to compliance at several high‑violation properties.
The Lowell City Council accepted a report Feb. 18 detailing work on problem properties, including landlord outreach and inspectional follow‑up that city staff said produced compliance at several high‑violation addresses.
Assistant staff presented an overview prepared by intern Hailey Spellingberg, who reviewed inspection records and identified properties with the most violations. The department reported it started with a list of properties having numerous violations (seven properties with 10 or more violations during a prior period) and conducted outreach: letters were sent and staff offered assistance to landlords, many of whom do not live in the city. As a result, staff said properties previously showing multiple violations were in compliance as of November.
Councilors praised the approach. Councilor Belanger moved to accept the report; Councilor Genes seconded and the council approved the file. Councilors asked whether outstanding violations block building permits — the manager said open violations or unpaid tax/water bills can prevent permits from being issued — and confirmed physical inspectional walks will resume in warmer weather.
Council members asked department staff to keep using the tracking process and to continue targeted walks in the spring.
