Do you remember this story out of Opa-locka last March when the Mayor ordered residents to take their underwear down from a guard rail? Believe it or not, that story made its way around the internet. United Press International (UPI) even reported it in its “Odd News” section the day after the Miami Herald broke it on March 23, 2013, which read:
Well, the North Miami Beach City Council might want to consider asking our City Manager to send out Code Enforcement officers on laundry patrol here because apparently some of our residents think nothing of airing their laundry, dirty or otherwise, on chain link fences in full view of anyone walking along the sidewalk or driving down the street.
I couldn’t tell if there were any undergarments hanging on the fence, but the man fixing his car on the public street right in front of the apartment building gave me dirty looks as I was driving by and taking pictures. I didn’t take his picture, but if looks could kill…
Mind you, this is not the first time I’ve seen this going on at this location. Usually there are clothes hanging on two other fences between apartment buildings on both sides of these two. Yesterday was the first time I was able to take a picture.
Never mind that Chapter XXIV, Article V, Sec. 24-47, (D)(9)(h) of our City’s Code of Ordinances states: “Clothes drying area: No outside clothes drying area shall be allowed except in the rear yard, and in the case of corner lots may not be placed within forty (40) feet of the side street line.”
Never mind that Chapter IX, Section 9-18.2 (a) of our City’s Code of Ordinances states: “It shall be unlawful to engage in the repair of any automobile or other vehicle located on public property within the City of North Miami Beach.”
Somehow, I’m the bad guy for daring to take pictures of illegal activity.
Oh, well. Sue me. My lawyer would love to hear from you.
Interestingly, the properties on which these illegal activities were taking place is just down the street from the home of our very own Councilcritter, L’il Frantzie P.
He had to have driven down this street at least once or twice a day, but somehow he saw nothing.
Or, even if he did see it, he doesn’t give a crap what his own neighborhood looks like. Nice!
Northeast 171st Street is the gateway to North Miami Beach from Biscayne Bouelvard. Visitors entering our city from the east should be treated to the best visuals our municipality has to offer. Our historic fountain is right smack in the middle of that street just east of the offending laundry!
Even worse, here is a picture of an apartment building directly across the street from the fountain, which I took on April 28, 2012 during the City’s First Annual Magical History Tour.
I also noted that this roof has STILL not been repaired as of yesterday, more than two years after I brought it to the attention of Code Enforcement, who apparently is still asleep at the wheel.
But, dare anyone build a small, tasteful walkway “within one foot of his lot line,” and the Insane Clown Posse of Code Compliance will be right on the case!
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
Code Enforcement is the front line of maintaining property values. If they aren’t doing their jobs the city degrades. Aesthetics are directly linked to value. Shame on them for allowing this to take place.
You’re absolutely correct. I’ve been saying this for years. How attractive do you think NMB would be to potential homeowners if they look outside their windows to see laundry hanging from a fence or someone changing his oil on the public street in front of their homes? News flash: It’s not a neighborhood where I would want to live! Frantzie, however, appears to be oblivious.
Even worse, this crap is just a few blocks away from our soon-to-be finished Marina Palms. Just wait until it’s built and see how happy residents there will be when they leave their expensive condominiums to drive west on 171st Street. Oh, wait! They probably won’t see it anyway. They won’t be headed to Wal-Mart. They’ll be shopping in Aventura.
Thanks Stephanie for posting this commentary. Seems certain areas of NMB are not maintained, while other areas are. You point out NE 171 Street, near the fountain. I live near there, and it’s stunning to me how much litter is in the median and around some of the businesses in that area. We are blessed with deep green, green lush grass and it is so shameful when fast food bags, empty cans, paper plates, etc are allowed to set for days and sometimes weeks…especially on people’s private property and in front of the businesses on West Dixie. It seems that NMB code enforcement is either not working or completely ineffective. The police do not seem to cite litter violators. Thanks again for being a very smart voice of reason for our city.
Rich, I’m not sure it’s the police department’s job to cite litter violators, but I do think the city should have a street sweeping vehicle (remember those?) to make sure our roadways and curbs are litter free. Face it, some people are slobs and they think the entire world is their garbage can. We can’t fix stupid or lazy. But if Frantzie hadn’t spent our money so generously on questionable expenses, we probably could have used those funds to beef up our Beautification and Code Enforcement Departments. Just saying.
It wouldn’t hurt to have litter baskets near the bus stops. You can’t get on the bus with food or drinks, so people need a place to put their garbage. It wouldn’t solve all of the problems, but it would help.