Louisville Metro code enforcement board schedules status hearings, grants conditional discharges and upholds a no-show fine

Chris Wonteland, a member of the Louisville Metro Code Enforcement Board, opened the board’s June 13 docket and said the hearing would operate under KSR guidelines and that participants must be sworn before speaking. "This is Friday June 13 docket of Louisville Metro code enforcement board," he said as the session began.

The board heard a series of property-maintenance matters and made several procedural rulings. In the first live matter, appellant Romero Winston said the property in question was in probate and not yet in his name; board counsel cited a Kentucky Supreme Court requirement that either the property be in the appellant’s name or an attorney be present for testimony. Wonteland agreed and passed the case for 61040 Third Street to August 1 to allow the appellant to secure counsel or complete the probate transfer.

In a separate case involving 1923 Quarry Street, resident Charice Williams described cleanup efforts and said she had filed for eviction against tenants. Goatley (presenting code enforcement staff) showed photographs of debris and cited prior inspections; the board passed the matter to July 25 for a status update. Wonteland told Williams she would receive written notice of the new date.

The board also heard for Stennis Properties at 337 Glendore Avenue where counsel Joe Stennis said his client had received prior notices and needed time to obtain professional quotes and perform structural repairs. Goatley described foundation cracks and other structural concerns; county counsel recommended an engineer’s report to better define the scope of repairs. The board passed the matter to July 25 and requested either an engineer’s report or documentation showing the property had been examined and a remediation plan developed.

Connor Grossman, representing property interests at 1027 Lambton Alley, outlined a repair plan for a downspout, front light and a fence. Staff accepted the restoration schedule and the board passed that matter to July 25 for a status check, noting the board would reassess the fence if it was not completed by then.

Attorney Alan Rubin, representing Byland LLC, raised concerns about mailed notices and said multiple citations appeared to arrive together, which he said created confusion and might have doubled fines. The board reviewed the mailing address on file, said it had no return mail and declined to rescind the conditional-discharge rulings. The board recorded two matters (including the one at 515 Red Oak Lane) as conditionally discharged for a one-year period with no further infractions; staff said the board would revisit the addresses if future violations occurred.

For a no-show on 39100 Dixie Highway, staff confirmed notice had been sent and the board upheld the $300 citation for nonappearance. Several other dockets were rescheduled to June 27 at the request of counsel, and Wonteland closed the docket after the board’s routine housekeeping.

The board repeatedly emphasized that its role is to secure compliance rather than to levy fines as a first resort: "I'm not here to take your money. I'm here for your compliance," Goatley said while explaining enforcement options and timelines. Where the board granted continuances it generally asked parties to present progress or professional documentation at the next status date.

The next steps are the status appearances the board scheduled for July 25 or, for several Erie/Area Court addresses, a rescheduling to the June 27 docket. The board adjourned after the motion to close the session was made.