A homeowner in central Lubbock has been cited by the City of Lubbock Codes Department 14 times since July 2013 for overgrown weeds.
The information was obtained through an Open Records Request filed with the city regarding the home on the corner of 57th and Avenue S.
“It’s been like this for quite some time,” Angela Flores said. “Several years. This year I guess it may be the drought that the weeds didn’t grow as tall. But there have been years when the weeds are just as tall as the roof is.”
The house was not always a mess. Flores said back in the day the home was quite nice. In fact, she said she would have been interested in it, if it had been for sale. Instead, she moved in down the street.
She said she started noticing the weed problem within the last five years.
“I really wish they would come over and clean it up,” Flores said. “Or get him to clean it up, or get the city to clean it up and charge him… If the outside looks the way it does then I can almost assure you the inside looks just as bad, if not worse.”
Flores said she has personally called the city several times, and even complained in person. She said she has never confronted her the homeowner, Jack Clinton Looney, because she heard he is ‘very rude.’
The neighborhood has new representation at City Council. Shelia Patterson-Harris is now over District 2. We mentioned the issue to Patterson-Harris and she drove by last week to take a look.
“I was concerned about what may have been going on there at the home that would have allowed the home to have things get to the stage that they are,” Patterson-Harris said.
In the letters sent 14 times to Looney by the Codes Department, it states ‘This property will be reinspected about seven (7) days after this letter has been sent. If, at that time, the property is still not in compliance with the ordinance, the City of Lubbock may send a private contractor to clean up the premises at your expense.’
It was not an empty threat. Patterson-Harris said the Codes Department sent their contractor to the home, but Looney turned them away.
“The individual has decided to take these matters to court and dispute them,” Patterson-Harris said. “Several different motions have been filed, change of venue, things of that nature things that have halted the ability of the city to go to the next level.”
According to Patterson-Harris, Looney will be due back in court soon. She said she anticipates some kind of resolution to be made within the next 30 days.
Until then, neighbors, like Flores, will do what they’ve always done.
“I guess I’ve learned to ignore it,” Flores said.
