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Resident urges action on rental property violations

With the new school year nearly upon us, I urge the Board to take immediate, preventive action against the formation of yet more "student ghettos." At a previous meeting, it was suggested that we purchase 2 or 3 signs warning students and others that occupancy by 3 or more unrelated persons violates our A1 zoning. We have the funds to buy the signs, but we have done nothing. Meanwhile, our neighborhood continues to deteriorate.

Owners of rental property are not motivated to observe the law. I know, because I own three rental properties myself. Each year it becomes harder to tow the line. As violations increase, I sit longer on unrented property, while the students and other threesomes, I send away are welcomed across the street and at rentals up and down our neighborhood. I wonder how many other rental owners are in my boat. I wonder also how many will decide they can no longer afford to hold out.

Please do something now.

Text could be something along these lines:

Students (or Renters) — Warning
Don't risk eviction
A1 zoned area*

* Only 2 unrelated people may share residence

Elisabeth Spanhoff

Paul Bell
University Hills Civic Association board member and Attorney
4949 Tulane Drive

Editor's note: Here are the pertinent passage from the Unified Development Code regarding A1 zoning and renters.

Section 8.201 A1 Single Family Residential District

The purpose of A1 is to permit low density residential development with a maximum density of 4.1 units per acre. Accessory uses normally compatible with surrounding low density residential development may be permitted.

Also

Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS

Family is an individual or two (2) or more persons who are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption living together and occupying a single housekeeping unit with single culinary facilities; or not more than two (2) persons, or not more than four (4) persons (provided the owner lives on the premises) living together by joint agreement and occupying a single housekeeping unit with single culinary facilities on a non-profit, cost sharing basis.

Also

Section 6.7 Violations, Penalty, and General Provisions

C. Whenever the building Official has cause to believe a violation of Section 8.201, single family permissible uses, and Chapter 2, definitions, has occurred, the owner and/or occupants is required to furnish affidavits, executed before a Notary Public, under penalty of law, attesting to the number of unrelated occupants of the house. Failure to do so shall constitute prima facie evidence that a violation of the single family zoning restriction has occurred.

More information on rental property is available here.

Have comments or questions, send comments to: your_thoughts@universityhills70808.net

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Reactions to the vandalism of the median

Several of you have commented on the April 28th vandalism of the median. Send your comments to your_thoughts@universityhills70808.net.

Regarding the "doughnuts" cut in the median, I do know someone who lives near an open patch of land on the back side of Crest Lake (the small lake along Dalrymple) who chases off similar vandals pretty regularly. As he atests, it's sadly just bored teens, and very likely not a targeted act. Perhaps a hedge or fence in the median will deter this in the future.

Ric Haag

What about getting some cameras for the entry and exit ways?

Ross Grimball

1. Vandalism isn't new, and argues for a camera to record who comes and goes and possibly commits other crimes like burglary…

2. Slow growing trees last a long time - Live oaks seem to have withstood our storms well and thus have my vote.

Charles Leonard

Last week I had to repair the water pipe again when someone crushed it.

Marc Zebouni

2 or 3 folks on Delgado Drive have had the tops taken from their garbage/recycle bins.  We seem to have some extremely unwanted guests in the neighborhood!  Let's keep an eye out; vandals shouldn't be as hard to catch as burglars!

Tom Bergman

That infuriates me.

Mary Norris

I wish we could find out who did this.... it's awful.

Bobbie Carey

The neutral looks awful... I was wondering if you measured the width of the tracks to determine if it was a Jeep or full size truck???

Cletus Robinson

Editor's note: Some have speculated that it might have been an ATV because of the size of the tracks and the tightness of the turning radius.

More than likely this is just kids (high school or college) looking for kicks. With that, any moderate amount of fencing should deter them. Probably the only thing that will be of any effect would be to put a small fence/barricade up. It could be basic but would need to be tough. Something like thick wooden posts sticking 3-4 feet out of the ground every 5-10 feet and linked with thick chains should do the trick.
 
I’m not sure as to how effective cameras would be for this particular issue (although I am all for them). If the vandals see them and cannot get to them to turn them off/blind them, or if the cameras are aimed in the correct direction (and have good enough resolution) then there may be enough evidence that the police can use.
 
It’s too bad we can’t bury some spiked strips there ;)

Bill Mann

Editor's note: We looked into the price of security cameras. Depending on what kind of camera and where it is installed, prices run from about $5,000-15,000.

As for installing barricades, remember that the median is city-parish property; and, therefore, the Department of Public Works sets the standards for erecting barricades. The Todd Sumrall in Traffic Engineering provided the following guidelines:

• Recommend 6” x 6” posts
• No concrete may be used in the installation
• With cable, use 15’-20’ spacing between posts; without cable (using a chain) use 8’ spacing between posts
• 3’ maximum height
• Install a minimum of 3’ from edge of pavement
• Provide layout plan for DPW approval
• Notify DPW for inspection

The median is supposed to be a NO PARKING area. It has been posted for years. Over time, several of the signs have disappeared. I believe there is only one left.
 
Is anybody going to fix that? I really get tired of seeing cars parked out there. There were some tonight.

James Mitchell

Comments about the July 18 vandalism.

This vandalism disgusts me. I have a hard time believing this is the work of someone who lives in the subdivision, but then again, I have a hard time comprehending how anyone could be so malicious.

Tracy Molidor

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Resident reports theft

I am sending this to you in hopes that you will let our neighborhood know. On Friday, April 3, we were robbed. I narrowed it down to the time between 10 p.m. and 7:30 Saturday morning. Although we did not see them, we know there were at least 2 people. They broke open a locked storage door and took a new generator (about $1000) and 2 weedeaters. While they were there, they opened both cars (left doors partially open) looking for valuables.
 
We filed a report with the police. The officer does not hold out much hope for finding the equipment, but he was thorough in looking for clues. He was able to get several fingerprints from the cars and the doors to the storage room. He advised that it was best not to lock vehicles (but of course keep no valuables in them) since thieves can cause costly damage breaking in.

[Editor's note: We checked with the Baton Rouge Police Department about the advice of not locking your car. Representatives from Crime Stoppers, Community Policing, and Burglary all said that this is not an official police department recommendation. The sergeant in Burglary I spoke to volunteered that his personal policy is to always lock his car. Also, a list of safety tips on the police department Web site states: "Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you’ll be gone only a short time."]
 
I want to make sure that everyone knows about this and is vigilant. These thieves were bold. Our storage room is not visible from the street or from adjacent yards, so the thieves had to have cased our property previously. They were quite bold, since there were two cars in the garage and lights on in the house — obviously the residents were home. We believe that there were at least 2 thieves, since they carried the generator down the driveway. There were no track marks anywhere on the ground that was soft from recent rain.
 
The policeman told me that there is currently a "wave" of crime in Kenilworth. He and I believe that this was done by someone working in the neighborhood. If anyone has noticed anything or anyone suspicious, please let me know so that I can ask the police to follow up.

[name withheld]

We were also the victims of a robbery. The incident at our home occurred on Tuesday, March 21st and was exactly the same as that described. It occurred between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am; Our storage shed as well is not readily visible from the street and is located right next to our house. The thieves took a generator as well as multiple power tools. There was no attempt to get into our vehicles or our home. We also filed a report with the police that morning and were told they would investigate but the chances of recovery were slim.
 
I agree we need to keep vigilant and report any odd or unusual behavior.
 
Thanks,

T’lane Field

Since UHills is a single access subdivision, what about installing a video camera at the front entrance and exit to monitor thieves casing the neighborhood and have a short term record to go back to to share video with police after burglaries?

Ross Grimball

There are at least three other thefts that were not mentioned. Another generator was stolen from a carport, a laptop was stolen from a car, and a camera was stolen from a different car.
 
Ross' idea is excellent: set up security cameras that take photos of everyone entering or leaving, positioned to get license numbers. Many other single-entrance subdivisions in town have such cameras, including the one where we now vote.
 
There is a lot of crime up and down Highland Road. It is very clear that the police cannot prevent it. Let's put up security cameras, both to deter further crime in our neighborhood and to help the police actually catch some criminals. It might even save lives.

John Johnston

We all appreciate our neighbors’ reporting the incidence of crime in our neighborhood. This is surely the first step in preventing further occurrences. I have noticed, however, the incorrect reference to certain crimes which can be misleading. The most prevalent of these is the use of the word “robbery.” A robbery is essentially the taking of anything of value from the person of another by the use of force or intimidation. In other words, the offender actually confronts the victim.

A burglary is the unauthorized entering of any inhabited dwelling or any structure or movable where a person is present, with the intent to commit a felony or any theft therein.  It’s a burglary if the offender enters your house, whether you are there or not.

A theft is the taking of anything of value which belongs to another with the intent to permanently deprive the other of the thing. This could be the taking of your car or anything in your carport or yard.

To say one was robbed should be stated only under the circumstances noted above as it implies a more dangerous situation than burglary or theft and is a greater cause for concern.

Tommy Watts

I would help pitch in for security cameras. It would be worth it. It sounds like there have been several robberies in the last month or 2. Also, if you see someone suspicious, take a picture with your phone of the car if you can.

Kyle Schwab

My husband was awakened by the unmistakable sound of someone trying to open the side door to our sunroom this past Monday night, May 4. It was locked so they were unable to enter. We have not noticed anything missing, but we also keep our cars locked.

Bettejean Cramer

If you have any information about other thefts in the area, let us know. Send your reports to web@universityhills70808.net.

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Should the speed limit be reduced?

Recently we conducted a poll question on whether the speed limit on neighborhood streets should be reduced to 20 MPH. The vote was 73% in favor of reducing the limit. We've received some comments as well.

30 mph is too high, 20 is too low, 25 may be just right.

Jean McGuire

I strongly support lower speed limit to 20 along with speed bumps. People will slow down some even if they run them. My son and another child in the neighborhood were almost hit a year ago by some idiot speeding out of the neighborhood after running a stop sign. It would have slowed him down from the 40mph he was traveling. I started a petition and have 5 of the required 10 signatures.

[If you would like to sign Kyle's petition to reduce the speed limit, e-mail:
web@universityhills70808.net and we'll relay that information to Kyle. Kyle says that he will bring the petition to you.]

Kyle Schwab

When I lived in Metairie, the speed limit on residential streets there was 20; and we had sidewalks. Residents here in University Hills must walk in the street. Some do so at night in the dark. Children play in the street, sometimes darting out into the street from behind parked cars. Lowering the speed limit is a prudent step for safety.

Louis Castaing

20 m.p.h. is plenty fast enough, particularly on the streets with curves such as Newcomb, Tulane and the upper part of Delgado.

Jeff Johnson

Posted speed limits should be 25 mph, but better speed bumps should be installed on some streets.

Frank Truesdale, 36-year resident on Ursuline Drive

I vote for 20 mph.

Ruth Carver

Placing stop signs that are meaningless and ticketing those who run them seem to me very poor ways of solving the problem of speeders in our neighborhood. Those who ignore the stop signs are not necessarily the same people who speed. (I hear no one recommending that speeders be ticketed.) Reducing the speed limit to 20 or 25 may be prudent, but it doesn't solve the problem, either. If we want people to slow down, we must make them. I see no way around speed humps. At least they're logical and honest and they'll get the job done.

Elisabeth Spanhoff

Editor's note: Here's a question for the group: Are drivers regularly exceeding the current 30 MPH limit? Let us know what you think at your_thoughts@universityhills70808.net.

Elisabeth responded to my question above.

That's a tough one. "Regularly"? I do see a few drivers on Delgado speeding from time to time. Not as often as you would suppose, listening to our neighbors. I am, of course, concerned about these speeders; but I am also (even more, really) concerned about parents of young children on Delgado who appear to be training their toddlers to play in the street when they have perfectly fine and safe back yards and neutral grounds. To expect motorists to cater to these children on the streets is, in my opinion, unrealistic and frankly dangerous. I sincerely hope none of these children comes to harm. Parents and children both need to learn that the road is for vehicles and that pedestrians take their chances.

Elisabeth Spanhoff

I’m amazed at the school busses that fly up and down Delgado. They aren’t the only ones that go flying by either. I am personally a nervous wreck having my 2-year-old playing in the front yard for that reason. Speed bumps would be the one thing I think would control it. Does anyone really pay attention to the speed limit signs? Do we have police patrol enough to actually enforce the limit?

Jennifer Mayer

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The sign says STOP!

Being in the unique position of having a stop sign [on the corner of Tulane Drive and Delgado Drive] out the front of my house, I am appalled at the number of people that run it on a daily basis.

I'm not certain I should say anything, but it is scary and against the law.

Cletus Robinson

More comments from the neighborhood

I share our neighbors' concern about people speeding down our streets and running stop signs. But I cannot really blame them for ignoring stop signs that are not meaningful. For as long as I can remember (I've lived on Delgado 30+ years), there was a yield sign on the corner of Delgado and Tulane. About five years ago, it was replaced by a stop sign. Around the same time, a stop sign appeared on the corner of Delgado and Coed. The need for these signs has never been clear to me. The Yield seemed perfectly adequate, and the new Stop on Coed superfluous (Coed has no traffic to speak of). Perhaps the point was to slow traffic on Delgado. If so, a speed hump would have been more to the point. As for the stop on Tulane, drivers regularly slide through it as though it were still a Yield. Perhaps it should be so again.

Elisabeth Spanhoff

Changing stop signs to “yield,” would seem to do nothing to improve safety.

Frank Truesdale, 36-year resident on Ursuline Drive

I think there needs to be an occasional policeman here to hand out tickets to those that run the stop signs. It'd be great to have a policeman spend some time here in the morning and late afternoon when the area is busy. They would make a tidy sum!

School buses also run through the subdivision. I hope no one is talking on their cell phone and running stop signs at the wrong time. . .oh, well. . .I may be just a voice in the night. Thank you for letting me rant. . .I just don't want to see anyone be injured.

Cletus Robinson [addendum]

I have a different perspective on what is a “Meaningful Stop Sign”. We’ve lived on Newcomb for 17 years. A few years ago when our son and some other neighbor kids were 6, 7, 8 or so years old, just getting proficient on their bikes and scooters and occasionally traveling up or down the street to one another’s houses, we parents often discussed our concern about the number of people who drove by at excessive speeds and what could be done to try to at least slow them down a bit. One looked into the speed bump idea, but it apparently requires a petition signed by a large majority of the residents to get them put in. We figured that was not viable since most of the worst offenders were residents and most others would probably see the bumps as a nuisance. Next they called the city parish and requested an all way stop at Newcomb and Normal. We figured that would at least get them to slow down half way down the street. Soon the stop signs were put in and most people obeyed them, but the ones who we were hoping most to slow down pretty much continued (and still continue) to zip right on through. I’m sure they don’t think it’s a “Meaningful Stop Sign” (Normal has no traffic to speak of), but maybe if they read this they will realize there is a reason for it.

Jeff Johnson

I could only support a reduction in the speed limit to 25 if something is done about the stop signs at the intersection of Delgado and Tulane and the intersection of Delgado and Coed.
 
The former needs to be returned to a yield sign, the way it used to be.
There is no excuse for it being a stop sign. The three-way stop at Delgado and Coed is simply a joke. There is no way on earth that there is enough traffic to justify it — heck, I doubt if the amount of traffic on Coed is 10% of the volume needed to justify one. Whoever used their pull to have that joke of a three-way stop put in must have a whole lot of it.
 
As things stand, with there being THREE stop signs between Highland and the back of Delgado instead of the one that there should be, there is no way I could ever support a speed limit reduction. As a result of the extra stop signs the street takes too long to travel as things are.
 
As to small children being trained to play in the streets, I have been amazed to seen that myself. I have even seen small children laying down on Delgado Drive in the middle of the roadway while there was traffic on the road with their parents looking on in approval! Small children should play under supervision in yards or in the median and never, ever in the street. That can only end badly.

John Johnston

I like the stop sign at the end of Delgado. People walking along that curve are in danger without it.

Kyle Schwab

Editor's note: As someone who walks by the corner of Delgado Drive and Tulane Drive, as do many people in University Hills, I can appreciate the concern. I am never certain whether a driver will stop at the corner or glide through without stopping. This is especially a problem with drivers rounding the curve on Tulane Drive at a high rate of speed. Let us know what you think and whether the speed limits on University Hills streets promote safety. Send your comments to your_thoughts@universityhills70808.net.

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More than one way to scheme a scam

After letting you know about the telephone scam involving persons pretending to represent St. George Firefighters, we got this e-mail:

A friend of mine had her identity stolen from a Hotmail account yesterday; and the thief sent out e-mails with a long made-up story about her losing her wallet in London and needing money. After the thief got into her Hotmail account, she could no longer access it.

If anyone gets an e-mail from a friend begging for money with a long-winded story ... do not reply. Call your friend and alert them to the e-mail.

Bobbie Carey

Editor's note: Know any other good scams? Let your neighbors know about them. Send your fraud-prevention tips to your_thoughts@universityhills70808.net.

Share your ideas, experiences, helpful hints with the membership at your_thoughts@universityhills70808.net.