Lubbock wants to act faster against abandoned properties that sometimes violate city codes and attract squatters, Jarrett Atkinson, city manager, said.
Mayor Mark McBrayer asked Atkinson to add the issue to the city’s list of requests for state lawmakers. State Representative Carl Tepper said he’s happy to help but he’s not sure state law is the problem.
“I’m specifically thinking of 66th Street near Avenue P and the conditions that are out there. If you’ve driven there, you notice that many of those houses are boarded up. People are squatting in them,” McBrayer said in Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The city has a good process to enforce local ordinances, said Stuart Walker, code administration director. However, it can take a while…