Chickens, Mosquitos, and Snakes - Oh My!

Roanoke City Code Enforcement to the rescue. After 5 years of stagnant water and vegetation growth at the Countryside Swim Club we may have a break in the case. Last night I finally decided to submit on Roanoke City's website under "Request for Services and Issues". This is the fastest way to get action from the City. Calling yields little it seems. I was home today to receive a call this morning about 11:00 AM from Stephen Hanson of Roanoke City Code Enforcement for our area. Mr. Hanson had only been on the job for 2 months but already had addressed my Two Service Requests. He did not know that Roanoke City owned the golf course property.

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First you get a notice of assignment of your issue in your email inbox that looks like this:

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02/04/2008 08:57 AM - Adrian Brown/Employees/City_of_Roanoke Issue Type/Subtype Change New: Miscellaneous Requests / Misc. Request - Building Inspections Due Date Change Previous: 02/03/2008 08:18 PM New: 02/05/2008 03:00 PM Department / Unit Change New: Housing and Neighborhood Services / Housing Assignee Change Previous: Adrian Brown/Employees/ City_of_Roanoke New: Stephen Hanson/Employees/ City_of_Roanoke

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Followed then by a second email saying they are on their way then a third email when it has been resolved and what action has been taken. Here is the third email:

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02/04/2008 01:33 PM - Stephen Hanson/Employees/City_of_Roanoke Action Taken: Responded to 2100 Countryside Drive. Pool(s) are full of water and abandoned structure (near pools) has all windows broken out with evidence of entry by vandals. Will inquire w/Chris Chittum as to status of property.

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I learned from Mr. Hanson's phone call this morning that a chair had been used to enter a broken window of the building adjoining the swimming pool and that the inside of the building had been totally trashed. He also thinks it is being used by vagrants or for drug dealing - who knows what may go on in there. This is shameful to have Roanoke City-owned property being the source of a complaint like this. It just shows how they take care of taxpayer owned assets. The pool area and Tennis Building area is not part of the Operating Agreement with Meadowbrook. It is Roanoke City's responsibility. The solution per Mr. Hanson is to have the building boarded up immediately. The pool drained or treated with vermin and mosquito resistant chemicals. This is a health hazard and code violation in Section 15-30 of Roanoke City Code.

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My second request is a bit more on the lighter side. One of my neighbors backs up to a house that has decided to have a few chickens. We thought keeping chickens within the City of Roanoke was not allowed. Guess again! You can have up to 10 chickens as long as they are in at least a 22,000 sq. ft. environment and 50 feet from the nearest structure. The chicken house must also be of a certain size. All was in compliance. I know it is tempting to run out there and pick up some live chickens to keep in your yard but I suggest that if you want your neighbors to talk to you that you resist the temptation. I will get my "range free" chicken eggs at the grocery store, thank you!