November 4, 2011
One of the most frequently asked question is “What is Code Compliance?” A simple definition would be enforcement of a common, minimum level of property maintenance. But it is really much more than that. It is part of the core services that impact our quality of life, community appearance, and property values.
All municipalities have a set of codes that define the maintenance requirements and standards for construction and zoning. Gwinnett County has a Property Maintenance Ordinance http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/police/pdf/code_enforcement_explanation.pdf that covers items such as fences, exterior building maintenance, weeds and overgrown lawns. These codes specify a minimum standard and are fairly generic, unlike HOA covenants. For example, your HOA may specify the colors you are allowed to paint your home. The municipal code might only specify that the paint on your home should be maintained properly with no peeling or excessive fading.
Code Compliance is the enforcement of these codes. Violations are generally noted through routine inspections. In some cases, homeowners or neighboring businesses may report a violation. This would be especially true when foreclosed property in your neighborhood is not being maintained or if a business has been abandoned and neglected. Poorly maintained property impacts all of us. It detracts from the appearance of our community and depreciates our property values. The impact on property values is why we chose Code Compliance as one of our services.
Gwinnett County maintains a Quality of Life Unit http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments/Police/QualityofLife dedicated to maintaining standards. Community Improvement Districts (CID’s) http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/AboutGwinnett/YourGovernment/CommunityImprovementDistricts also use Code Compliance to improve the overall appearance of their communities. By enforcing the codes, they also reduce crime in the area. Criminals do not want to live or “work” in areas where there is active enforcement.
There are additional benefits of having Code Compliance handled by our new city, rather than by the county. The first is our ability to determine our own standards. What works overall for the county may not be suitable for Peachtree Corners.
We will have the benefit of a smaller area to be serviced, allowing a more timely response to issues impacting our neighborhoods. We will also be able to focus on areas that currently have higher levels of criminal activity. Hopefully, with that focus, we can help reduce the crime rates.
Overall, we already experience the benefits of Code Compliance and Enforcement. By providing this service through the city we enhance those benefits. Code Compliance is not designed to emulate or replace the more stringent standards maintained by HOA’s. Rather, it is a means to maintain the entire city at a basic, common standard.
As always, please e-mail us at blog@upcca.org if you have any questions about incorporation or suggestions for future blogs. You can also Follow Us On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peachtree-Corners-Yes/188252451197937 and Follow Us On Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/PCCityYes. For more information about the city initiative, you can go to the Peachtree Corners web site http://peachtreecornersyes.com/. We also have two blog sites. One presents the facts about the city initiative http://peachtreecornersyes.blogspot.com/. The other rebuts the myths and misstatements made about incorporation http://peachtreecornersrealfacts.blogspot.com/.
Comments
Cleanupguy 1 year, 6 months ago
I cannot help but to see that nothing but the wall-to-wall propaganda hogwash is being distributed as fact on the issue of cityhood. The Gwinnett QOL is among the best in the nation, period. Incidentally, they have sworn Police Officers – is that that also the plan for PTC, or will civilian compliance officers be used (BIG difference)? Mighty strange that there are such grand generalizations, without benefit of specifics, as the day approaches.
Again, if more government is the answer, I cannot fathom what the question might be. The battle cry for the pro-city movement appears to be “believe, lemmings, believe!” What could possibly be bad about a group of politicians and self-interests promoting this, right? The vote for cityhood is much like herpes – once contracted, it’s permanent, pervasive, and will spread quickly, in both cost and scope.
HonestIngine 1 year, 6 months ago
Mike Mason the "self proclaimed" President of Peachtree Corners. said to forget the taxes, feasibility study, and trash issue. We are going to outsource to a company, who's code enforcement officers are paid on commission. So they are outsourcing 2 out of 3 services, and he wants to be mayor. IN the CHARTER.SECTION 3.11. Boards, commissions, and authorities.
(a) The city council shall create by ordinance such boards, commissions, and authorities to fulfill any investigative, quasi-judicial, or quasi-legislative function the city council deems necessary and shall by ordinance establish the composition, period of existence, duties, and powers thereof. (b) All members of boards, commissions, and authorities of the city shall be appointed by the mayor and council for such terms of office and in such manner as shall be provided by ordinance, except where other appointing authority, terms of office, or manner of appointment is prescribed by this charter or by law. (c) The city council by ordinance may provide for the compensation and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses of the members of any board, commission, or authority.
NOW THE CITIZENS KNOW WHY, THEY ARE PUSHING THIS CITYHOOD FOR THEIR OWN POCKETS... THE ABOVE IS IN THE CHARTER.
Cleanupguy 1 year, 6 months ago
I happened to have been the guy that let the county know, when they passed a graffiti ordinance years ago, that Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (called a “quasi-governmental” agency by one of the senior county attorneys) could not legally enforce any county ordinance. Fast forward to the trash pickup debacle, GCB was put in charge of enforcing the recycling requirement, and thus lawsuits and chaos ensued. What was outlined above will probably not be legal either. On a related note, I have observed that the “NOCity” people are rude, crude, arrogant and obnoxious at best – definitely not the way to sell voters on their position.
I quote from an e-mail just received directly from the “Vote Nocity” website: “You ignorant old fool. If you don't have a dog in the fight, do us all a favor. Stay on the porch.” I will, but on a different one henceforth. Nice going!
Jeanne Aulbach 1 year, 6 months ago
HonestIngine, can you tell us how "their own pockets" will be benefitted? Just asking. This is a standard power in any municipal charter. These commissions, like the Planning COmmission, are generally volunteer positions. How will anyone who is a volunteer be able to line "their own pockets"?
HonestIngine 1 year, 6 months ago
Jeanne, are you really this niave, read the charter they can be hired.
Jeanne Aulbach 1 year, 6 months ago
PS - One also wonders why the YES people normally post under their full names while the NO people rarely post except under silly aliases?
HonestIngine 1 year, 6 months ago
Ben is my name and I live in Peachtree Corners, Peachtree Station Subdivision, do you want to come over for coffee?
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