Kingsport cracks down on code enforcement by adding more inspectors
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – The City of Kingsport has hired more inspectors for its code enforcement department to address dilapidated commercial properties in the downtown area.
City leaders said in a news release addressing the code enforcement Monday that they value a safe and healthy environment for residents.
In addition to its current coordinators, the city hired two property maintenance and housing inspectors to enforce city codes and ordinances.
“We’re looking to protect property values and to make sure issues such as junk in the yard, high grass and dilapidated structures don’t spread throughout a neighborhood,” said Kingsport Assistant City Manager Jessica Harmon. “And our goal is always to get voluntary compliance, but sometimes that’s just not feasible, and sometimes we have to take matters into the courts.”
Code enforcement officials completed a corridor study in Lynn Garden that found 130 code violations. Those included substandard structures, dilapidations, high grass, inoperable vehicles and junk on properties.
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“If a property is allowed to continue to be in a state of disrepair, it gives a sign that the city thinks that type of behavior is OK. It trickles down to decreased property values, you know decreased quality of life,” Harmon said.
Residents of the Lynn Garden community told city leaders in the study that their priority is public safety.
Eight demolitions have already taken place, the city reports, bids are out for five more and another seven are in the appeals process.
Kingsport has inspected several commercial buildings in the downtown area that have been found in need of repair or demolition.
“These include 702 E. Center Street (the McAnnich Apartments), 609 Boone Street and 152 Broad Street,” the release states.
The city said taking care of these violations improves the value and quality of neighboring properties by eliminating the spread of dilapidation or any potential squatters.
“They’ll definitely see more of us and our vehicles out in their neighborhoods and I think they will see a quicker response,” said Harmon. “Some of our response time is dictated by state law and the amount of notice and things that we have to give, but they will definitely see us responding and communicating those issues much more frequently.”
“The success of code enforcement is consistency,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “If someone lives next to a violation or operates a business next to a violation, we as a city have a responsibility and we’re going to continue to stay on it.”
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