Pasadena : Evacuation Order Appealed
David O. Howard, owner of a 15-unit apartment building at 543 N. Raymond Ave., has appealed a city evacuation order. Howard’s 48 tenants were moved out Dec. 21 after city officials cited fire and health code violations.
Howard was ordered to repair the building before allowing tenants to move back. City officials also said they would seek reimbursement of tenant relocation expenses, which cost the city nearly $17,000.
In his appeal, Howard claimed that the Fire Department violated due process by not adequately notifying him of code violations and by failing to formally declare the building a fire hazard. He also said the department declared the building substandard because of a personal vendetta against him by Deputy Fire Marshal Calvin Wells.
Neither Wells nor Fire Chief Kaya Pekerol could be reached Thursday.
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