Louisville Metro Code Enforcement board upholds multiple citations, reduces penalties in some cases

The Louisville Metro Code Enforcement Board met May 30 and reviewed a full docket of enforcement matters ranging from unsecured loads and street-racing enforcement to long-running property-maintenance cases. Chair Chris Watland presided over the hearing at the Old Jail Building and online, and staff called pre-conference and formal cases reported by code inspectors and Louisville Metro public-safety officers.

The board upheld a citation for an alleged unsecured load after Metro Department of Public Works assistant director Pete Flood presented RTCC photos showing pallets, plastic and strapping falling from a vehicle on Feb. 17. Flood said the charge was under Metro ordinance 51.5.03B, which prohibits conveying solid waste on public ways unless contained or covered. The owner, identified in the record as Keith Ward, testified he was hauling cardboard and pallets to a fire station and said he was unaware of the covering requirement. Chair Watland said the conditions did exist, upheld the $250 citation, and reduced the immediate payment by $125 with the remaining $125 conditionally discharged for one year provided no further violations occur.

In a separate enforcement action tied to a May 2 downtown gathering, Officer Clayton Bunch described RTCC video and screenshots of a large group of motorcycles, ATVs and dirt bikes doing burnouts and “donuts” at the Portland Circle K. Bunch said many riders fled when officers signaled and that footage shows the defendant in the gathering. The rider who identified herself in court as “Miss Dow” said she was sitting at the gas station, repeatedly yielded when officers approached and did not perform stunts. The board found the violation occurred, upheld the citation, ordered the motorcycle impounded for 90 days and reduced the fine to $500 with the remainder conditionally discharged; Watland warned that repeat conduct could result in a year-long impoundment and significantly higher fines.

The board also dismissed an appeal by Waste Management of Kentucky for a Grama Lane citation after no company representative or counsel appeared; the citation will stand. Romero Zavala’s appeal was dismissed for failure to appear, and the board upheld a six-month impoundment and a $1,000 fine in that matter.

Several property-maintenance cases were continued for status reviews and follow-up. At 27 Burton Avenue inspectors noted outstanding exterior and structural work but counsel said most interior work is complete and utilities will be restored; that case was set for a June 27 status review. Another owner, James M. William Sr., told the board he and family members have disabilities and limited ability to perform repairs; inspectors documented peeling paint, missing siding and open windows. The board directed staff to mail a list of community agencies and resources and set a Sept. 5 status date for total compliance. For a property on Jacob Street the owner said the house is expected to close June 30; staff will notify the prospective purchaser (Cardinal Properties) and the board passed the case to Aug. 22 to allow notice to be delivered.

Throughout the hearing board members and staff repeatedly emphasized compliance pathways and community resources. Chair Watland urged owners to use Metro 311 for bulky-item pickups and to contact their inspector for interim inspections; Tammy Goatley, a property-maintenance presenter, agreed to mail agency resource lists to owners who reported limited ability to perform repairs.

The board scheduled county-attorney training for June 13 at 8:30 a.m. and adjourned the docket. The board set multiple follow-up and status dates (June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 5) so inspectors can verify repairs and compliance; where owners showed progress the board issued conditional discharges that will be vacated if new violations occur.