Update: 12/17/04

Update: 12/17/04 12:30 AM Follow up call to confirm status of service call 3387-39 with 311, Travis. Travis commented that's an old number since they're "in the 400s now" and asked how long had it been since it was called in. Status of call was that Joe Lee reinspected the site on Dec. 6. Code Enforcement (clerical) issued a violation notice on 12/10/04 by regularmail. Scheduled for re-inspection on the 16th. Inspector assigned to call is Joe Lee. Travis commented that if it was reinspected on the 16th nothing had been entered on it yet (for his access). (Travis also volunteered that the call had been forwarded to a 311 troubleshooter, Rock Richardson, a coordinator between 311 and Code Enforcement. Richardson addresses calls that seem to be slow resolving.)

12/17/04 4 PM Call to Ron Robinson regarding status of investigation. Robinson gave the phone to Joe Lee after a brief pause and Mr. Lee said he was scheduled to reinspect on Dec. 20th. With reference to 2717, Mr. Lee commented that it would be measured and "triple-checked" as he initially thought it was under 200 sq. ft. and then on the second visit determined it was over 200 sq.ft. Lee returned the phone to Robinson who, when asked about the minimum side yard requirement and whether a carport is either supposed to be a carport or not, responded with questions about whether it was in a historic district/conservation district. He also stated at one point that they needed permits and to submit plans and at another point said that they were not in compliance and could go before the Board of Adjustment to request a variance at which point there will be notice of hearing regarding same.

12/17/04 Perusal of One Stop Permits for Dec. shows that a plumbing permit no. 0412131057 was issued 12/13/04 for 2717 for a "gas leak." Still no permit reflected for 2711.

Update: 10/31/04 11:15 PM Follow up call to confirm status of service call 3387-39 with 311, Travis. Travis stated status of call is "open." On October 22, "location said no evidence of construction; no evidence of repair." Call was "escalated" from Inspector Joe Lee to the Manager, Ron Robinson, and from the Manager to the Assistant Director. Travis said he thought that was S.E. Div. Assist. Director for Building Inspection. (Bear in mind that Joe Lee is the same City of Dallas employee that said a building permit was required and that he had issued citations yet later this inspector down-graded conversion to mere "remodeling." Homeowner was aware a building permit was required no later than April 3, 2003. Now there is NO EVIDENCE OF CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIRS. Inspector Steve Cunningham had initially taken digital-photos when structure conversion was merely framed-out 2x4s , and wrote up citation/notice on April 2, 2003 - this man actually does his job only to have it undermined after he is transferred. Nevertheless, it appears that per Sec. 51A-4.402 and Sec. 51A-4.403 only allow a carport.)

12:00am, Sunday, Oct 31, 2004, Renee 3-1-1, stated that Joe Lee took pictures of 2711 Healey 22 Oct and there is no evidence of construction or repairs made - owner stated that he tried to obtain a permit.

4:38pm, Monday, Oct 11, 04 Craig 3-1-1 - no follow up - new service#362117 previous service#3387-39 was assigned to Joe Lee - his super is Ron Robinson 214-670-6964. (311 operator apologized for the assignee not following up. I thanked him but commented that he only takes the calls.)

Friday, August 15, 2003, 10:16am, 311 (Service #03-004 68 984), spoke with Alberta who stated that J.L. (Joe Lee), District Manager, will be inspecting structure at residence on August 15th because there is one strip of wood that needs painting. [Nevertheless, as of November 8, 2004, the entire rear wall (with door) has yet to be painted.] Her computer indicated that District Manager had visited on August 8 and 10 and that there is no evidence of construction that requires a building permit; that no building permit is required for that construction.

Friday, August 1, 2003, 3:33pm (Service #03-004 68 984) called 311, spoke with Mary who said residence was reinspected July 21st and notice posted - no building permit and exposed wood exist. Inspector knocked on door and had no answer. (Note: Initial 311 call made on April 1, 2003 and violation still exists after 4 months without a building permit and several notices to obtain one, and construction is complete except for painting.) I neglected to get Inspector's name and called 311 back and spoke with Renee - she said reinspection occurred July 31st by Joe N. Lee.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 9:30am-9:53am (Service #03-004 68 984), talked with Joe Lee. He said he'd been on vacation, and that he had put a notice on conversion property June 30th. Mr. Lee asked if I was a neighbor. I did not comment but stated I was following up on status. Mr. Lee said that Kathy Davis issued an unpublished departmental policy directive that citations are no longer sent certified mail - that code violators (in this situation) must be personally tracked down and served citation (ticket). I asked if this could be compared to a high weeds violation. He said with high weeds notice by certfied mail with 10 days to cut - if not in compliance then city cuts and puts a lien on property, not a fine. Later, Lee says they do put a fine and then a lien. Lee commented that looking for a resident makes it hard on him because catching the resident at home will be difficult, a sort of 'catch me if you can' scenario. He asked if I could keep an eye out for him, like let him know when resident might be around. I commented that any conclusion on this matter could take months, and Lee mentioned again that this would be hard on him and that he might need to put in over-time. He said something about a warrant and resident could be arrested - I wasn't clear on exactly what that meant or entailed. (At 10:10am a Patrick Shaw called to ask if someone at this number called him. I said I'm pretty sure no one did and asked if he was with the city, and he said yes. I had initially called Joe Lee's cell phone number (214-957-8098) and let it ring a few times then, as it was going to voice mail, I hung up to call his other number. Maybe Shaw was just a wrong number or he uses Mr. Lee’s cell phone.)

Thursday, June 19, 2003, 1:07pm, called Code Compliance (214-670-5708) for update on carport-to-room conversion without a permit (Service #03-004 68 984). Spoke with Elizabeth who said Joe Lee (214-957-8098) is handling it. Called Joe Lee at 1:11pm. Lee stated that this wasn't his jusridiction; he didn't do this and I should contact building inspection. Nevertheless, he said he was shown (listed) to be the one handling this and that he did recall going out there (residence). He said that outside of a few holes that needed patching it all looked okay to him. Mr. Lee paused for a moment and then, in effect, said, 'Yep, looks like they were never issued a permit'. Just the same, Mr. Lee stated he'd issue yet ?another? citation. I asked should I follow up with 311 or him after 10 days. Mr. Lee said to call him.