The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2012-06-15 OPH Ltr to Wells Fargo Bank Re Code Violations CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS ,,,> 14168 Oak Park Boulevard No. • P.O. Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 -2007 • Phone: 651/439 -4439 • Fax: 651/439 -0574 June 15, 2012 VIA E -MAIL & US MAIL I Mr. Rob Pascavage Wells Fargo Bank 6748 Elm St. North Branch, MN 55056 Ref: 5831 Ojibway Ave. N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Code Violations Dear Mr. Pascavage, Attached are the following letters and notices indicating code violations at the above address: 10/07/2011 Letter to Trevor Sharbach / Proposed contractor to do construction 11/30/2011 Letter to Wells Fargo Home Mortage 12/08/2011 Letter to Ms. Vang on Code Violations 05/17/2012 Letter to Ms. Vang on Ordinance Violations 06/05/2012 Inspection Notice from site investigation with you at the site. All of the items listed in these letters are to be addressed and brought to compliance with the City's Building Code and the Code Requirements of the City's Zoning Ordinance. In addition, after reviewing the inspection letter from Linda L. Brekke, P.E., President, Le Pas Design, Ltd., the following items are to be addressed: 1) Stairs and landing are unsafe and shall be removed, replaced, or repaired to comply with the Minnesota State Building Code adopted by the City. 2) Missing connections to the joists members are to be installed or corrected. 3) Posts are to have connections top and bottom and may not be buried in the earth. 4) Soils tests by a license testing agency are to be made. 5) Piers are below grade, and actual size of the existing footings was not determined. Provide design plans for all footings from a licensed structural engineer for the deck, stair landing, and porch. 6) Provide a design plan for all supporting posts and beams from a licensed engineer. As stated in all communications, the porch and deck structures are unsafe and shall be secured as to not allow the public or occupants of this dwelling to gain access. Please contact me should you have any further questions. Sing yim Butler 7 i Building Official f G CC: Eric Johnson, City Administrator Brian DeRosier, Police Chief Mark Vierling, City Attorney Scott Richards, City Planner Julie Hultman, Planning and Code Enforcement Officer • Tree City U.S.A. • OF '7-- OAK PARK HEIGHTS 4 k WIIIIIMENNEINEMMIMOMMIIMMIMMIUMMII A m , J 14168 Oak Park Boulevard No. • P.0. Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082-2007 • Phone: 651,'439 -4439 • Fax 651/439- 0574 October 7, 2011 Trevor Sharbach Minnesota Construction & Property Management 9299 212 Street West Lakeville, MN 55044 Ref: 5431 Ojibway Ave. N. Yard Maintenance and Deck / Porch Structures Tax id # 04- 029 -20 -32 -00065 Wells Fargo RE: 708 - 0205190416 Dear Mr. Sharbach, Per your request as the owner's contractor for the maintenance of the property noted above, am writing this letter to give you the history of the dwelling and existing conditions at the site On September 16 the City received a complaint regarding long grasses and weeds in the yard and that it was not being properly maintained. The site was visited by a police officer who saw that a center post that was to be supporting the beam of the deck structure was lying on the ground. Upon the officer's request 1 did a site investigation of this property and the deck structure. I found that 'grasses and weeds were a foot or higher in height and the deck was not properly supported. As indicated by the officer, the center post support for the beam was lying on the ground, and the corner post was pulled away from the deck approximately five inches. I was not able to see the footings because they were buried beneath the rocks, but it appears that they have settled or that the post footings supporting a center beam for the deck structure heaved from the frost. In addition, many of the posts supporting both the deck and the porch have stress cracks in the wood. With those findings, 1 deemed the deck structure unsafe and a hazard to public safety, and I posted 'DO NOT ENTER DECK STRUCTURE IS UNSAFE' signs on the deck posts and closed off the area with police caution tape. I researched the property file at City Hall and found that a Certificate of Occupancy was issued on March 15, 1990, and a Building Permit for the porch and deck was issued August 1, 1990. The City does not have the building plan for either structure. Tree City U.S.A. • At this time I am requiring the following regarding the deck and porch structures to bring them in compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code: 1) Repair or replacement of the deck; 2) Verification that the footings for the deelt.and screened porch are of an approved design and size to support the load; 3) Inspection of the floor system of the porch structure to verify proper sizing of the beam and floor joists; and 4) Inspection of the posts for their structural integrity, Verification of all the items above is to be done by a Minnesota State Licensed Structural Engineer or they are to submit structural design plans for the corrections to be made to bring the structure into compliance with the State Building Code. In addition, the owner is to keep the property free from the -re- occurrence of the nuisance of a poorly maintained yard. Should the City receive further complaints regarding the yard, the City shall hire a contractor to abate the nuisance, The owner shall be charged for this service, including but not limited to the Contractor's cost for this service and City's staff time spent to abate this nuisance. Please note that on a site visit to the property, I found that the contractor that cut the grass did not bag the grass and did not remove the weeds in the gardens around the dwelling. The owner is directed to have the contractor return to resolve this issue within ten days of the date of this letter. The City is also requesting that a plan to resolve the safety issue of the deck and porch be submitted within ten days of the date of this letter. Please contact me if you have further questions. Jim Butler --� a /7 f Building 0 icial CC: Eric Johnson, City Administrator Brian DeRosier, Police Chief Mark Vierling, City Attorney Julie Hultman, Planning and Code Enforcement Officer Kelly Renfrow, Wells Fargo Consultant • CITY OF Vie OAK PARK HEIGHTS 14168 Oak Park Boulevard No. • P.0. Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 -2007 • Phone: 651/439 -4439 • Fax: 651/439 -0574 November 30, 2011 VIA E -MAIL AND US MAIL Code Violations Wells Fargo Home Mortgage X2303 -048 1 Home Campus Des Moines, IA 50328 Ref: 5431 Ojibway Ave. N. Deck and Porch Structures Tax id # 04- 029 -20 -32 -00065 Wells Fargo RE: 708- 0205190416 To Whom It May Concern, Attached is a copy of a letter dated October 7, 2011, addressed to Mr. Treavor Sharbach, who as I was informed, was representing Wells Fargo's Property Management for fore- closed homes. As highlighted in the letter the DECK STRUCTURE 15 UNSAFE AND THE PORCH IS TO BE INSPECTED BY A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER. I also requested that a plan to resolve the safety issue of the deck and porch be submitted to the City within ten days of the date of that letter. To date the City has received nothing. This letter is to inform you that the conditions noted in the letter must be met no later than December 10, 2011. The contractor for the project must make application for a Building Permit, provide construction plans, be licensed with the State of Minnesota, and obtain a Building Permit prior to any construction work being done. The contractor is responsible for calling for all inspections as note on the Building Permit Inspection Record and as noted in the letter shall have the structural integrity of the porch verified by a state licensed engineer. The Engineer's inspection records are to be stamped, signed, and submitted to City. - Please note that if the corrections are not completed, inspected, and approval granted for compliance to the Building Code from the City's Building Inspection Department by December 10, 2011, the City will have no alternative other than to take further legal action. The City will also charge the property owner for staff, contractor, administration time, and material costs to abate this violation. 41111111 - im Butler Building Official . • CC: Eric Johnson, City Administrator Brian DeRosier, Police Chief Mark Vierling, City Attorney Julie Hultman, Planning and Code Enforcement Officer Betty Caruso, Finance Director Kelly Renfrow, Wells Fargo Consultant Lyndi Vang, Wells Fargo Code Violations Frank Howard Jr., Wells Fargo Client Services Consultant Tree City U.S.A. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • "' >,* 14168 Oak Park Boulevard No. • P.O. Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 -2007 • Phone: 651/439 -4439 • Fax: 651/439 -0574 December 8, 2011 VIA E - MAIL I I Ms. Lyndi Vang Property Preservation / Code Violations 1 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 112000 West Parkland Avenue MAC X 9400 -022 Milwaukee, WI 53224 Ref: 5431 Ojibway Ave. N. Deck and Porch Structures Tax id #04- 029 -20 -32 -00065 Wells Fargo RE: 708 - 020519046 Dear Ms. Vang: As I have written in all of my correspondence regarding the issues at 5431 Ojibway Avenue North, THE DECK IS UNSAFE AND THE PORCH STRUCTURE IS QUESTIONABLE. The deadline date of December 10, 2011 is still in place, but the City is willing to accept the following: 1) Posts are to be put in place to properly support the beams supporting the structures; 2) The area below both the deck and porch are to be closed off with a fence or other suitable continuous barrier having a minimum height of four feet; 3) The door to the porch is to be secured so as not to permit access; 4) All posted 'DO NOT ENTER DECK STRUCTURE IS UNSAFE' signs are to remain in place; 5) Your contractor is to make application for a building permit, and upon the issuance, construction work for the repairs may start; 6) The contractor is responsible for calling for inspections as noted on the permit. Please note that the City has adopted the Minnesota State Building Code to ensure the safety of the general public with the construction of building structures that meet the requirements of the Code. Violations to this Code shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law. The City will grant an extension for final corrections to be made no later than May 1, 2012, as noted in previous letters dated October 7, 2011 and November 30, 2011 provided the fencing /barriers remain in place. Please contact me if you have any further questions. Ji. "B>utler ` .---7 J „,/,/- r / T _ `;� j- ` , / ,.building Officia / / CC: Eric Johnson, City Administrator Brian DeRosier, Police Chief Mark Vierling, City Attorney Julie Hultman, Planning and Code Enforcement Officer Betty Caruso, Finance Director Kelly Renfrow, Wells Fargo Consultant Frank Howard Jr., Wells Fargo client Services Consultant Tree City U.S.A. as City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. — P.O. Box 2007 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Phone: 651.439.4439 Fax: 651.439.0574 Via Email: lyndi.vang @wellsfargo.com & U.S. Postal Marl May 17, 2012 Lyndi Vang Property Preservation /Code Violations Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 112000 West Parkland Ave. MAC X 9400 -022 Milwaukee, WI 53224 Re: 5431 Ojib Way Ave. N., Oak Park Heights, MN — Yard Maintenance Wells Fargo Ref. 708- 0205190416 Washington County Property ID 04- 029 -20 -32 -00065 Dear Ms. Vang: As you know, property maintenance is an important part of keeping things looking nice and of being a good neighbor. It is my understanding that you are the contact person with respect to code violations, as such, I am writing to you relative property maintenance needed at the above - referenced property. The site yard is in need of immediate attention as the grass and weeds are considerable and currently violate City Ordinance 1109.03.H with regard to "noxious weeks, tall grasses, and other rank growths ". Oak Park Heights City Ordinance 1109.03 H. "All noxious weeds, tall grasses, and other rank growths; the word "weeds" shall be construed to mean and include all noxious weeds as defined by the Statutes of the State of Minnesota and all such useless and troublesome plants as are commonly known as weeds to the general public. All grasses growing to a height greater than six (6) inches upon any lot or parcel of land within the platted portions of the City of Oak Park Heights are hereby declared to be a nuisance." With this letter you are hereby ordered to have the weeds and grass mowed /maintained at the site no later than Thursday, May 24, 2012 and are further ordered to keep the property fee from a re- occurrence of this nuisance for 160 days. If it is found that compliance has not been met at the time of the compliance check, the City or its agent will enter the property to abate the nuisance an return periodically to keep the nuisance abated until the owner /occupant acknowledges their responsibility and provides reasonable assurances to the City for the continued care of the property so that the condition will not reoccur within the 160 day period. Phone: 651.439.4439, Extension 1105 Email: jhultman @cityofoakparkheights.com 1 J4- °Y a City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. — P.O. Box 2007 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Phone: 651.439.4439 Fax: 651.439.0574 • If the City is required to abate the nuisance, please be advised that the City shall extend a tax against the above - referenced property in the form of an assessment for staff, contractor, administration time and materials expended to abate the nuisance. Your prompt attention is appreciated. Please contact me immediately with any questions you may have regarding this request. Sincerely, Julio ultman PI; nn ng & Code Enforcement Official C: Frank Howard @ frank.howard @wellsfari;o.com Kelly Renfrow @ Kelly.renfrow@wellsfargo.com Jim Butler, Oak Park Heights Building Official. - . Eric Johnson, City Administrator Brian DeRosier, Oak Park Heights Chief of Police _. Mark Vierling, City Attorney Phone: 651.439.4439, Extension 1105 Email: jhultman @cityofoakparkheights.com Jim Butler Subject: * **SITE INSPECTION Location: 5431 OJIBWAY Start: Tue 6/5/2012 8:30 AM End: Tue 6/5/2012 9:00 AM Recurrence: (none) Organizer: Jim Butler MEET WITH ROB Pascavage / CONTRACTOR FOR KATHY FROM REMAX. PHONE #728 -0615 Upon his request I was asked to do an inspection for the bank to record code violations that needed to be made to permit the occupancy of this building. Below is a list of the violations found on this site inspection. 1) Repair or replace all Smoke Detectors. They are to be hard wired and interconnected. 2) Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors as required by the Code. 3) Piping to be installed for the temperature relief valve on the hot water heater. 4) Smoke detector / Carbon Monoxide detector is require in the basement room across from the mechanical room. Please note that this room may not be used as a bedroom because complying egress requirements may not met. All of the above are to be brought into compliance with the Code, as well, as all items noted in my earlier letters regarding co- violations. • 1