That is great. However, are they going to discuss excessive paving, the new norm of paving whole yards right up to the front door, illegal driveways and overcrowding of single family houses that are broken up into rooms??? Surely the people at City Hall see these violations taking place, especially in the Upper Highlands where these violations are taking place at a rapid rate.

Just a follow-up to "reporter" above and a status update: We have asked - reported - complained - you name it, for years and years. The PD, up until very recently, has not done a thing about the cars completely parking and blocking the sidewalks. And yet, my mom would receive letters from the City reminding her to "keep her sidewalks clear" after snow storms! ..last time I checked, people simply cannot walk through a car. Meanwhile, the people across the street claimed their whole front yard and curbside parking as "their own personal parking area" thus taking away curbside parking from the neighbors which has caused further parking problems. This is ludicrous, and that's why I wrote the original post. Now, a status update - The next door people have now moved their cars to the side, and we are grateful to whoever made "that" happen - even if only temporary. With that stated, however, the investor owner, who lives elsewhere, has still not torn up the cement and replaced the grass - as yet - because we know, it's temporary. In addition, the people across the street continue to drive over curbs and use their entire front yard for parking - including the walkway which had been expanded to accommodate the owner's car - because, God forbid, he would have to walk around from the (real) side driveway.... As for the rooming house situation, yes, these same neighbors across the street had done that too. In fact, not only was the house being used as such, the owner had, at one time, built out the basement rooms, complete with a hose running into the basement, and additional single room shacks in the yard complete with electrical cords and mattresses... oh yeah... It was just lovely. I called it "Shanty Town." Thankfully, it was Mr. St. Hillaire (sp?) who made them take them all down. ...that was a fun summer too... I think, and yes, it's my opinion, there should be fines involved after so many times. It seems that's the only way to get the message across. These people are not stupid, and I don't buy the "language barrier" either. The City needs to do its job for the best of all in the entire City.

Hi Sally, I am not sure what "they" are doing. It's incredibly frustrating as this has been going on for years now. We have a City Council... The Superintendent, Health Dept., Building Commiss., etc. all report to the City Manager and the CM is "supposed to" answer to the Council.. It seems not many people are interested in doing their jobs. All that seems to be happening is new property taxes being raised, etc. And the Council seems blase... business as usual... All I can say is that we vote every two years.... I think it's time for a new slate, or move out.

Well, according to this system, my "issue" has been open for 60 days. The only changes thus far have been that one neighboring house, the tenants have not used the cemented area right in front of the house as a parking spot. But, it's still there - looking as unsightly as ever. The neighbors across the street continue to drive over the curbs and have continued to claim the entire curbside parking area as their own. Last week, I counted 10 cars, slightly less than their highest at 15. We haven't heard from the City at all. We haven't received any letters, notices, and there haven't been any public notices - that I know of anyway. So, with that stated, I do think that the residents should keep their posted "issues" open until we hear from the City. I don't think it's too much to ask that the City - openly and very publicly - address these issues in a very public way, and I don't mean only during the City Council meetings. I think that the City should conduct some sort of City-wide message which can easily be done through it's billing seeing that it's paying for postage anyway. Even a half-sheet flyer will do, and/or some sort of Public Notice on the local channels. I think it would be beneficial to all to help educate those who continue to - not only violate City ordinances - but continue to devalue their properties and all the neighboring properties around them. The taxpaying owners, especially those who give a d-a-m-n, want to know what is the plan, we want to know what is going to be done about these "issues," and I really don't think its too much to ask for an official response! Please feel free to share.

For those who are still monitoring this site, I have an update to the above situation regarding illegal driveways, parking on sidewalks, and loss of curbside parking for neighborhoods.

Please know the owner of 990 Middlesex St has applied for a variance based on a "hardship" though the hardship is not identified. To read more about our response, please cut and paste the links below:

To read the documentation and obtain the download documents,please Click Here-> http://www.trademarkrealtyinc.com/990Middlesex.html

To view the Picture Slide Show, please Click Here-> http://www.trademarkrealtyinc.com/990PictureShow.html

The argument is being shared in case others are experiencing the same situation and are still monitoring this site despite the City of Lowell's decision to discontinue its use.

Good Luck!

Toni,

Your documentation and images are really good. The images are striking and convey a lot of information. Lot's of details supports by imagery is very convincing. Please keep updating the progress as I am curious how this turns out.

Who's Kevin Tran's attorney?

This issue provides a lot of information that most people don't get to see. If the variance is rejected I can see how to approach potential problems in the future. Documentation, photos, etc. help build a case. Laws and building codes would be enforced by the City of Lowell.

However, if the variance is accepted, I will use this as a roadmap for future homes I purchase in Lowell. I don't see how any variances would be rejected. In addition, I could do things to my property that clearly affect the "value" of the neighborhood in a negative way while enriching me.

Thank you

Laws and building codes should be enforced. They are "on the books" for many reason - public safety being one. As for the possibility of accepting this particular variance, I don't see how that would happen.

Are you saying that if they accept this variance, even with the supporting photos, that they'd probably accept any variance? I agree! Why not just allow anyone to do anything? Why have local ordinances at all? Why even HAVE a Board of Appeals - if this owner gets away with this? The photos have been taken over time - 7 years now. And his inconsiderate and careless disregard for his property, its value, and the values of neighboring properties can and must be addressed. This is why I posted it to this site as I know there are other Lowell residents who are just sick and tired of what is happening. We must, as a community, publicly question why the City continues to "look the other way." And, if, by chance, they DO accept his variance, this issue will become even more public. I guarantee that. The web site pages will remain up and published until this issue is rightfully resolved.

Sorry - didn't meant to Close the issue! It remains Open for anyone who's interest to view.

Toni;
I agree with everything you have to say about the city, and it's problems with cars, driveways, and parking. The legal, and illegal conversion of single, and two family homes to multiple apts., without a thought to parking is another big issue in the Upper Highlands. Check out Wedge St. and Wilder St.
Slumification ( my term ),for this degrading process of destroying the neighborhoods is proceeding without any interruption from city govt, and as I see they have failed Lowell, and it's people.

Just an FYI for those who wanted to know the outcome from the Variance meeting. It was, wisely, denied. With that stated, however, I may still bring this issue up to the City Council. We will wait for the spring to see what this person is required to do as it is winter, and we are dealing with mounds and mounds of snow. We also want to wait to see what the City is going to do regarding the two illegal driveways and why they're still there. I will keep this issue open, on this site, for now unless the site's owners wish to delete or close it because the City of Lowell is no longer, officially, monitoring this site.

For new issues, there is a yellow notice bar above directing you to the City Of Lowell's website. Apparently the City's website has provided the ability to notify there, and they monitor that instead now. I do not know if the CIty's website allows people to communicate with one another. In any case, those who are interested in supporting any effort to address these issues may contact me direct. Toni Nicholas, (www.) TradeMark Realty Inc.com

Toni,

Congratulations! I'm glad to see that something obviously out of code would be denied by the city.

Did your images and website help during the variance meeting?

Is there any advice you would give to others who may have similar problems, etc.

All I can say about the images and the website pages is that they acknowledged them and said they saw the pictures. That's what I wanted - the pictures taken over the course of seven years while constantly complaining about what is going on and questioning why it's going on for this long. Since this was only the Variance meeting, and we still don't have an official response from the City, I will probably bring it to the City Council to openly ask "WHY?"

It's unfortunate that the people have to take time and effort out of their day to question why the City isn't doing its job. As mentioned, we'll wait until the spring to see what he is going to rip up and whether he is going to restore the entire area with grass and curb-side parking. I also want to see whether the neighbors will be notified of any order to restore curb-appeal and curb-side parking for the neighborhood. So, we'll wait until spring..

As for anyone else who may be having this issue, yes, I have some advise. Get your pictures ready, compile your supporting documents, and be willing to stand up and fight back! The issues are affecting property values - there's no question. So, stand up and fight back - that's my advice.

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Anything Goes In Lowell. Parking at front doors which is a FIRE HAZARD!! A wonderful idea let's cut all the trees down in the City of Lowell and asphalt all surfaces then there will be no birds, flowers, bees etc. and no one will have to take care of a yard. How wonderful Lowell will be we are already half-way there. Oh and all the water in our cellars because rainwater will have nowhere to go oh and least I forget the extra work which will be placed on the wastewater system in Lowell. What a way to go Lowell. So the new slogan for Lowell, Mass should say Anything Goes in Lowell how true it is.

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reopen

Lowell no longer uses this service. This will not be addressed here on this forum. Closing issue.

And who are you???? May I ask????

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