Nuisance Property Enforcement Stepped Up

The City Council voted Wednesday to step up enforcement against nuisance properties in Los Angeles, approving seven additional planners and attorneys to build and process cases.

The city now has about 150 nuisance abatement cases backed up. In some cases permits are revoked and buildings demolished.

“It takes us two years to abate a nuisance,” northwest San Fernando Valley Councilman Hal Bernson said.

By providing more staff members, the council hopes to reduce the time it takes the city to act on a slum property, according to Ian Filep, an aide to Councilwomen Laura Chick, who represents the southwest Valley.

“The Planning Department had said there is not enough staff,” he said. “This will speed up with revocation process.”