7 Lakeview Hills ApartmentsCITYOF
C HASSE
690 City Center Drive
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Photle
952.937.1900
GeneralFax
952.937.5739
Engineering Department Fax
952.937.9152
Building Department Fax
952.934.2524
Web Site
www. ci. cha nhassen, mn. us
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor
City Council
Todd Gerhardt, Acting City Manager :~~_)'
¼. -
July 19, 2001
SUB J:
Status of Current Code Violations, Crime Prevention Activities,
and Future Alterations at Lakeview Hills Apartments
As you all know, the North Bay Homeowners Association attended our last City
Council meeting to express their concerns regarding Lakeview Hills
Apartments. For some time now, City staff has been dealing with several code
violations and tenant complaints about how the complex is being maintained and
managed.
To update the City Council on the status of these violations, I have attached a
memo from Steve Torell, Building Official concerning the status of the current
code violations (see Attachment #1). I have also asked Beth HoiSeth to update
the City Council on the crime prevention activity (see Attachment #2).
Whenever issues like we are currently facing at Lakeview Hills Apartments
arise (another example is the Dean Johnson townhouse development
maintenance problems), the question needs to be asked, "What can the city do to
protect the public's health and safety, and how do we encourage both owner-
occupied and rental housing complexes to maintain their property?" The answer
may be City Code amendments regulating housing maintenance and requiring
the licensing of rental dwellings. As of this date, I have not had the opportunity
to research the pros and cons of such an ordinance. If the City Council is
interested in looking into this option, staff should be directed to develop an issue
paper regarding the creation of these ordinances. Staff estimates that this could
be completed by early October.
7
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he City of Chanhassen. A :~rowh~ commu,ity with clean lakes, quality schools, a charmi,~ downwwn, thriving, businesses, and beautil~d /)arks. A ereat place to live, work, and Ida~.
C1TYOF
CHANHASSEN
690 City Ce, ret Drive
PO Bo.,: 147
Chanhassen, Min,esota 55317
Phone
952.937. I900
General?ax
952.937.5739
Engineeri,g Departme, t ?ax
952.937.9152
B,ildi,g Department Fax'
952.934.2524
~I3b Site
www. ci. cha,hasse,, m,. us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Todd Gerhart, Acting City Manager
Steven Torell, Building Official .,,./; /
July 18, 2001
SUBJ:
Status of Current Code Violations at Lakeview Hills
· Stair Replacement: All of the stairs at the complex have been identified as
hazardous and require replacement or repair. This has been an ongoing
issue since June of 1995. A permit was issued in 1997 for repair and or
replacement of the stairs, some repairs were done but the majority of the
work was not completed. We were in contact with The Remada Co.
throughout the process and were continually assured the stairs would be
replaced or repaired. In March of 2001 I requested that the stairs be
replaced by June 29 of this year, the deadline was extended at the request of
Mr. Liefschultz. The plans for the replacement have been approved and the
contractor has assured me that he will apply for the permit today and the
work will be completed by the end of August. If work does not begin by
August 1, I will begin legal action through the City Attorney's office.
· Fire Code Violations: Fire Inspector Greg Hayes inspected the site on
June 29, 2001 and wrote a correction notice. The majority of the smoke
detectors were not working and there was some exposed wiring. The
owners are in the process of replacing all of the smoke detectors and
repairing the exposed wiring. The buildings will be completed on a
schedule of one every two weeks.
· Tenant Complaints: When we receive a complaint from tenants, we
notify Mr. Liefschultz and inform him of his responsibility to make sure the
units and buildings are in reasonable repair and fit to live in. We also
advise the tenants to contact agencies such as the West Suburban Mediation
Center and the Carver County Attorney's Office for assistance. Most of
these complaints are not building code related, i.e. odors, insects, appliances
not working etc. when they are we proceed accordingly.
· Miscellaneous Repairs: The owners have replaced all the roofs, repaired
the balconies, reinforced the railings and preformed other general
maintenance.
· Walkthrough Inspection: Mr. Liefschultz has agreed to walkthrough
inspection in September to identify any other code violations. The premises
will be inspected by the Fire Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Electrical
Inspector and myself.
G/safety/st/memos/admin/lakeviewhills7-18-01
The G0, of Cha,hasse,. A growi,g comm,,iO, with clea, /~kes. q,aliO, sc/voo/s, a cham~i,~, dow, town, thrivi,~ businesses, a,d beautilSd parks. A great place to live, wo;'k, a,d pla.
CITYOI
690 City Ce, ret Drive
PO Box 147
5hanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Pholl¢
952.937.1900
.
GeneraI Fax
(~ 952.937.5739
ngineering DeDartment
[ 952.937.9152
Building Department Fax
952.934.2524
Web Site
u,ww. ci. ct~anhasse,, m,.,s
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJ:
Mayor
City Council
Beth Hoiseth, Safety Education Coordinator~~5~
,
July 19, 2001
Interaction summary with Lakeview Hill Apartment
Management
Bold highlighting indicates reference to Crime Free Multi-Housing
(CFMH) strategies that I have implemented or recommended.
December 1995
Lakeview Hills Owner Steve Liefschultz was given Crime Free Multi-
Housing Program Information. Ali six landlords in Chanhassen
(including Steve Liefshultz) declined participation in this voluntary program.
Summer of 1998
Through the Carver County Sheriff's Office, I coordinated to provide
monthly printouts of "police calls for service" to Lakeview Hills
Management.
December 7, 1999
Upon the request of North Bay residents, I organized a meeting with Steve
Liefschultz, North Bay representatives, Officer Bob Zyd0wsky, Carver
County deputies, and Councilman Mark Senn (Liefschultz requested Senn's
attendance). Liefschultz stated the following:
· His tenant screening process includes criminal history background
checks on each tenant applicant.
· He displayed renovation and expansion plans for the property. His
plan was to apply for building permits on this project in Spring 2000.
e CiO, qfCha,hassen. A growi,g communiO, with clean lakes, qua5O, schools, a chaining, downtown, thriving businesses, and beautifid parks. A freat place to live, work, and play.
July 19, 2001
Page 2
July 12, 2000
Conducted an Apartment Watch meeting.
March 29, 2001
Steve Liefschultz and his employees met with the Carver County Chief Deputy
and staff to discuss growing concerns regarding an increase in crime activity.
Liefschultz stated the following:
· His tenant screening includes criminal history background checks on each
tenant applicant.
· His lease enforcement includes the "Crime-Free Multi-Housing Lease
Addendum".
· He did not have an explanation as to why his company discontinued
usirig the monthly "police calls for service" printout service.
April 2001-Current
· I have had 22 contacts with Lakeview Hills management.
As a courtesy, I personally call management to pass along pertinent
information regarding crimes involving their tenants or activity on
their property. I have always provided this service to all Chanhassen
apartment properties.
July 17,2001
Provided site manager with crime prevention literature.
July 18,2001
Conducted a Neighborhood Watch meeting.
July 19, 2001
Page 3
Summary of Non-Compliance
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is strictly voluntary. Landlords must
have the desire to improve conditions and utilize crime prevention tactics. The
following observations have been made regarding non-compliance of the
recommended CFMH tactics:
It cannot be proven whether or not Liefschultz screens tenants through
criminal history checks or uses the "Crime-Free Multi-Housing lease
addendum. However, in April 2001, it was revealed through a police
report that one of their current tenants had an extensive criminal history.
On four separate occasions since April 5, 2001, I have encouraged
Lakeview Hills management to participate in the monthly calls for service
printout service. To date, they have not.
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