(April 6, 2017) A derelict property on 8 Willow Way in Ocean Pines has been causing headaches for several years – and possibly for more than a decade.
The Gazette first reported on a violation there, which was brought to the board’s attention, in May 2014. At the time, then-Director Marty Clarke joked that a junk car left on the property was a poster child for compliance, permit and inspections (CPI) violations reforms introduced by former Director Pete Gomsack – in 2009.
Director Cheryl Jacobs made overhauling the CPI process a priority last year. That effort stalled, but dealing with violations continues to be a problem.
The situation on Willow Way, where homeowners have repeatedly lodged complaints, was a perfect example of what can go wrong under the current system, she said.
“These are the kind of people who are caught up in a situation where action was taken years ago, then the whole thing comes back full circle with junk vehicles. And in this case, it might even be the same vehicle where board action was taken to remove it in the past,” she said.
The architectural review committee (ARC) was alerted of the current violation, and Jacobs said she asked the Ocean Pines’ attorney if immediate action could be taken based on prior reports of a violation.
“This is one of the properties that was listed as a habitual problem [in 2014]. They’ve got unregistered vehicles sitting there – cars without tags – which never leave the property,” she said. “There is a pending violation that’s been heard by the ARC committee for these unregistered vehicles that’s making its way to the board for action.”
She also asked another Ocean Pines attorney to see if immediate legal action could be taken based on a prior complaint.
Jacobs said the homeowner reported the problem has persisted for 17 years.
“She started contacting me in September 2016 and as a director I’ve taken action, and I have been working on trying to help her resolve this problem for that amount of time,” Jacobs said.
Several directors and committee members worked to shorten the CPI violation process last year, as well as introduce a new category of violations for repeat offenders.
“Once a person was a repeat offender, you could forget all the intermediate steps and go right after them by sending a certified letter and sending it directly to an attorney for action,” Jacobs said.
The board held a first reading for the amendment to Resolution M-01 in October of last year. Interim General Manager Brett Hill, however, said the issue was not with the existing rules, but with staff enforcing them.
“The rules that we already have take months, even if everything goes as it should go because we give property owners every opportunity to eliminate the violation,” Jacobs said. “Most people just ignore the notices. Then you have to take the step of having [the violation] come to the board after multiple notices … and then it goes to an attorney, and the attorney generally starts with a letter, hoping the homeowner will respond, and if they don’t they take whatever court action is appropriate.
“Just following existing procedure can take six-to-seven months – or more,” Jacobs added.
She said changes to M-01 were still on the table.
Until that happens, she vowed to continue working to alleviate the situation on Willow Way.
“This is such an egregious situation because it’s been going on for so long,” Jacobs said.
She added the homeowner who made the complaint was fearful for their safety and worried about potential retaliation for reporting the incident. Jacobs said Ocean Pines police have been notified.
Compliance, permit and inspection violations in Ocean Pines should be directed to Public Works and CPI Director Eddie Wells at 410-641-7425, or emailed to cpi@oceanpines.org.
The Gazette first reported on a violation there, which was brought to the board’s attention, in May 2014. At the time, then-Director Marty Clarke joked that a junk car left on the property was a poster child for compliance, permit and inspections (CPI) violations reforms introduced by former Director Pete Gomsack – in 2009.
Director Cheryl Jacobs made overhauling the CPI process a priority last year. That effort stalled, but dealing with violations continues to be a problem.
The situation on Willow Way, where homeowners have repeatedly lodged complaints, was a perfect example of what can go wrong under the current system, she said.
“These are the kind of people who are caught up in a situation where action was taken years ago, then the whole thing comes back full circle with junk vehicles. And in this case, it might even be the same vehicle where board action was taken to remove it in the past,” she said.
The architectural review committee (ARC) was alerted of the current violation, and Jacobs said she asked the Ocean Pines’ attorney if immediate action could be taken based on prior reports of a violation.
“This is one of the properties that was listed as a habitual problem [in 2014]. They’ve got unregistered vehicles sitting there – cars without tags – which never leave the property,” she said. “There is a pending violation that’s been heard by the ARC committee for these unregistered vehicles that’s making its way to the board for action.”
She also asked another Ocean Pines attorney to see if immediate legal action could be taken based on a prior complaint.
Jacobs said the homeowner reported the problem has persisted for 17 years.
“She started contacting me in September 2016 and as a director I’ve taken action, and I have been working on trying to help her resolve this problem for that amount of time,” Jacobs said.
Several directors and committee members worked to shorten the CPI violation process last year, as well as introduce a new category of violations for repeat offenders.
“Once a person was a repeat offender, you could forget all the intermediate steps and go right after them by sending a certified letter and sending it directly to an attorney for action,” Jacobs said.
The board held a first reading for the amendment to Resolution M-01 in October of last year. Interim General Manager Brett Hill, however, said the issue was not with the existing rules, but with staff enforcing them.
“The rules that we already have take months, even if everything goes as it should go because we give property owners every opportunity to eliminate the violation,” Jacobs said. “Most people just ignore the notices. Then you have to take the step of having [the violation] come to the board after multiple notices … and then it goes to an attorney, and the attorney generally starts with a letter, hoping the homeowner will respond, and if they don’t they take whatever court action is appropriate.
“Just following existing procedure can take six-to-seven months – or more,” Jacobs added.
She said changes to M-01 were still on the table.
Until that happens, she vowed to continue working to alleviate the situation on Willow Way.
“This is such an egregious situation because it’s been going on for so long,” Jacobs said.
She added the homeowner who made the complaint was fearful for their safety and worried about potential retaliation for reporting the incident. Jacobs said Ocean Pines police have been notified.
Compliance, permit and inspection violations in Ocean Pines should be directed to Public Works and CPI Director Eddie Wells at 410-641-7425, or emailed to cpi@oceanpines.org.