Ordinance Would Allow Annual Apartment Inspections

An ordinance that would require annual inspections of apartment complexes in three blighted areas of the city has won preliminary approval, even though some officials said they have questions about its legality.

City Council members voted 4 to 1 for the proposal, which calls for annual inspections and would levy fees for violations of city building and housing rules.

Failing to comply with codes after the first inspection would prompt reinspections, after which fees would be assessed if improvements were not made. The city attorney will review the ordinance and give a report before final action is taken May 21.

“This is not the city’s attempt to thump people just for the sake of thumping people,” said Councilwoman Jan M. Flory, who favors the ordinance. “It’s to solve a problem that exists in the area that the owners have asked us to help them with.”

She said the problems include crime, deteriorating apartments and recalcitrant property owners. The properties that would be affected are on Baker Avenue in the south end of town, Valencia Drive near the downtown area, and Garnet Lane in East Fullerton.

Mayor Chris Norby, who cast the lone dissenting vote against the ordinance, called it a “hunting expedition.”