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Code enforcement reports progress cleaning defunct cannabis sites, expects caseload to rise
Summary
Torrance County code enforcement described cleanup progress at multiple former cannabis cultivation sites and said new staffing and territory assignments are increasing voluntary compliance; department expects roughly 175–200 cases by year end.
Senior Code Enforcement Officer Chuck Caviness updated the commission on cleanup activity at defunct cannabis cultivation sites and other nuisance properties, reporting site‑by‑site progress and an uptick in case filings. Caviness gave estimates ranging from roughly 50% to 90% complete across several sites and said the office has moved to territory‑based enforcement and hired a new officer (Victoria Carr) to increase face‑to‑face contact, which improves voluntary compliance.
Caviness explained the county prefers to avoid court because each court case consumes about 12 staff hours for preparation and pretrial work; the strategy is to maximize voluntary compliance and use county cleanup authority and liens only for health hazards or abandoned properties. Planning & Zoning Director Don Goen told commissioners the county has a dedicated cleanup fund and may place liens on properties where owners cannot be located; staff said the typical county cleanup cost is around $8,000 and that the program is currently funded.
