As discussed in yesterday’s post, Enforcing Zoning, Building, and Other Ordinances, DeKalb Schools’ Chief Legal Officer says, “GDOE guidelines provide that temporary educational facilities must meet all applicable state and local building codes and must have a separate certificate of occupancy for each building.”
Unfortunately, hundreds of students across the county are currently sitting in non-inspected trailers. The City of Dunwoody can’t provide a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for most of the portable classrooms currently in Dunwoody.
Cities need to enforce their ordinances/code, regarding building, plumbing, electrical, land disturbance, storm water, etc. for any building activity on property owned by the school district or county, within the city. The court explicitly stated, in City of Decatur vs. DeKalb County, that within a city, only the city is imbued with the powers to enforce such things.
Robert Miller began looking into the overcrowding issue a decade ago when his children were forced to learn in trailers. He was interviewed by CBS 46 in the news story “Portable classrooms in Dunwoody not inspected”
“We don’t know how old the trailers are, we don’t know where they came from,” Miller said. “When you look at the city of Dunwoody code, they don’t even allow temporary trailers. You can only have temporary trailers connected to a building permit.”
With his permission, I’m reposting some thoughts Robert Miller recently shared on Facebook.
Rober Miller
Dunwoody Parent
Have you been warned, threatened or fined by the City? Did you get to have a beneficial meeting with the city and work out a deal?
If the City was committed to protecting the citizens then they would equally and fairly enforce city ordnances with all partners, businesses and other governments. Not just the ones that pay for permits and fines!
The Dekalb County School administration is not following the State requirement of getting a certificate of occupancy for trailers used as classrooms. And the City of Dunwoody staff is not enforcing the city’s temporary trailer and tree ordnances. Is the city staff lazy or do they only enforce life safety issues when they get paid?
The Mayor and city council’s job is to establish the code AND hold the staff accountable for enforcing the code.
I am sick of the incompetence!
School Administrators DO YOUR JOB!
School Board HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!
City Staff DO YOUR JOB!
Mayor and Council HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!
Related Posts
Enforcing Zoning, Building, and Other Ordinances
May 3, 2017 – What authority does a city or county have in enforcing its zoning, building, and other ordinances with respect to temporary and permanent building on school property? This question with respect to zoning and all other ordinances became settled law with the rulings for two court cases.
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Open Letter to Mayor, Council Members, and City of Dunwoody staff – Enforcement of city ordinances/code
April 12, 2017 – I am writing to address a concern I have regarding recent correspondence about the city’s process for permitting and inspections for compliance with city ordinances; specifically as they relate to other governmental entities operating within the city’s boundaries.
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
According to the City of Dunwoody’s agenda for this Monday’s meeting, chickens are top priority – first business item on the list after miscellaneous honors and proclamations. The “memorandum of understanding between CoD and the DeKalb school system” is waaaaaaay down on the list.
Agenda: http://sireapp.dunwoodyga.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1019&doctype=AGENDA
Here’s the MOU w/ the school district. One page. Created *after* Nancy, Stan, an assortment of parents and the news media got involved. Otherwise, I don’t believe we would even have had this.
http://sireapp.dunwoodyga.gov/sirepub/cache/2/bu0gb5c0imofdakpcs43dner/32464905042017124109778.PDF
Our city representatives remain unapologetic about their priorities. I remain very disappointed. At one time I thought these were very good people. I am reconsidering that POV.
Valid points Adrienne. I wonder if every time the city enforces its laws as it must, they ask politely for a memorandum of understanding or do they just require you to follow the law and pay the bill? Why is the city giving preferential treatment to the school district? They are a property owner equal to all other property owners with respect to all city code with the exception of zoning. This leaves the city exposed to discrimination claims. I sure hope they are collecting the appropriate fees and that they intend to demand compliance. Anything less is on shakey ground. And, if I was incorrect, as some council members have suggested (without the facts to back them up), then why do this at all? We know why. They are attempting to save face. When I’m wrong, I believe the best course of action is to admit it and adjust. So far the city hasn’t acknowledged anything I’ve sent them. It’s strange because every other city in my district knows my number and calls me.
MOU – Does this mean the City of Dunwoody doesn’t plan to “inspect and certify all other aspects of construction permitting compliance.” until this MOU is completed by the city and school district?
Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Dunwoody and DeKalb County Board of Education
Pursuant to our Intergovernmental Agreement with DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Fire
Department will review, inspect and certify fire code compliance.
Pursuant to case law, the City will review, inspect and certify land disturbance compliance.
Pursuant to the City of Dunwoody / DeKalb County Board of Education Memorandum of Understanding, a registered engineer, retained by the Board, will design, inspect and certify all other aspects of construction permitting compliance.
The City will issue Certificates of Occupancy based on successful completion of the above actions.