Waco resident raises concerns about inspection records, digital signatures and missing site elements for Chestnut property

At the April 1 Waco City Council meeting, resident Ethan Herring used the hearing of visitors to raise concerns about inspection and permitting records for a house he says he is trying to repair and occupy at 1046 Chestnut.

“My name is Ethan Herring. I live at 1044 Chestnut. I'm trying to get my house fixed at 1046 Chestnut,” Herring told the council, saying he had pursued financing and reviewed documents he received in response to an open-records request. He said the records included a digital signature he was shown by a prospective lender and that he was unsure how an original certificate had been issued. “It makes me worry about the integrity of the city,” Herring said.

Herring said the file he reviewed indicated there had been no inspection request filed on a key date and that required items such as sidewalk and driveway shown on submitted site plans were not present. He asked the council for documentation that would allow the house to be legally occupied and said he remains "waiting on that document." He gave staff copies of the records he referenced.

The council did not engage in discussion during the hearing, per the meeting rules for hearing of visitors; staff were asked to follow up with speakers as appropriate. City staff present were asked to accept Herring's materials so they could investigate and contact him about next steps.