Selective Code Enforcement

Back in November, 2019, I inquired about the sign in front of Doreen’s Cup of Joe that is in violation of the City’s code of ordinances. It is on CITY PROPERTY - by code it can be no closer than five feet back from their property line. To date, no City code violation has been given to the owner of the property. In addition to that, a code violation was filed against Joey’s Pasta and Pizza for a temporary sign code violation back in June 2020 which is not five feet back from the property line. Here again, NO City code violation was given to the owner of the property. Many inquiries were made as to the status of these code violations with no citation given to the owner’s for these code violations. I have emails stating the owner’s will be filing for a permit. I checked with the building official last week and there are NO active permits as of this date. Why is that?!?!

There have been many code violations registered by these owners against two other restaurants on the same block and they had to remedy those alleged violations that day or within a week. 

I am under the impression that the codes are to be applied equally to all businesses on the Island, NO exception!!

I know that citations and fines work because these establishments have been given citations and fines for directional signs, with their names on, then placed on City property; the owner went to a magistrate meeting with pleadings and the fines were dismissed by the magistrate and the signs were immediately removed.

I sent an email to the City Clerk, City Manager, Police Chief, City Attorney, Growth Management Director and City Council with NO response.

Respectfully submitted,

Amadeo Petricca