Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners hear public-health, enforcement limits after neighbor videos show vehicles being disassembled
Summary
Commissioners and public-health staff discussed neighborhood-supplied videos that may show vehicles being disassembled at private properties. Staff described monitoring, limits to enforcement without evidence of off-site commercial activity or groundwater contamination, and sheriff visits that may deter illegal conduct.
Neighbors have submitted still photos and videos showing vehicles and parts being disassembled on private property, and commissioners discussed enforcement options and public-health concerns at the Sept. 29 briefing.
Public-health staff described the images and said videos were more useful than still photos for establishing whether vehicles are arriving and leaving (a sign of commercial activity) or whether the activity is merely removing vehicles already on-site to dispose of them. Staff said that, from a public-health perspective, properly drained and dismantled vehicles for disposal may be allowed, but concerns exist about oil and fluid release onto the ground. Staff said they have walked the properties, cataloged vehicles and will escalate code enforcement if more vehicles arrive. The sheriff's office has also been making presence visits to deter potential illegal activity.
Enforcement difficulties stem from the need to gather evidence that an operation is a commercial chop shop (vehicles brought in and broken down for parts or sale) rather than private disposal. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate video evidence and legal paths to enforcement where appropriate. Staff asked neighbors to forward videos, and promised to coordinate with law enforcement and code enforcement as needed.
Provenance: discussion recorded at 00:08:45 to 00:13:20; excerpt: "We don't have any local rules against taking a vehicle apart to taking rid of it... If it's done, we go." (Public health staff, 00:10:14).
