By Ashley Mackin | SDUN Editor 
On the corner of what Talmadge residents consider the “gateway to Talmadge” is a house causing many residents concern. The home’s construction is unfinished, it is covered in a torn, blue tarp and it has repeatedly been subject to graffiti. Some residents call it an eyesore.
“What started out as simple curiosity about the property soon changed to annoyance with the eyesore that it quickly became,” said Talmadge resident Erin Judson.
Residents have been asking the property owner, Roger Utt, to address the concerns for over five years.
Talmadge resident Kelly Waggonner said, “We are not asking for some high-end renovation. We are just asking that torn tarps, overgrown weeds, graffiti and piles of debris be tended to, as any regular homeowner would do. The property is an embarrassment to the entry of our charming neighborhood.”
In June 2010, over 20 Talmadge residents signed a letter to Utt offering their assistance in restoring the property. The letter stated community members wanted to help make the property more visually appealing. It also stated that some community members were interested in buying the property from Utt.
After the requests made in the letter went unanswered, Waggonner explained, she contacted the City Attorney’s office and Neighborhood Code Compliance (NCC) to see what other options the community members had.
Waggonner said, “Do we want to take legal action against our neighbor? Of course not, but he has left us with few alternatives as he has made zero effort to be a good neighbor in our community.”
According to San Diego Municipal Code, “The City has a history and reputation for well-kept properties, and… property values and the general welfare of this community are founded, in part, on the appearance and maintenance of these properties. Every person has the duty to maintain real property which is under his or her control free from weeds, rubbish and other forms of waste.”
Further code states, “It is unlawful for any responsible person, to maintain graffiti that has been placed upon, or to allow graffiti to remain upon, any surface within that person’s control, possession or ownership when the graffiti is visible from the street or other public property.” It is also noted that violations of these codes are punishable by fines.
Tony Khalil, an NCC senior civil engineer, said the NCC is packaging the case and sending it to the City Attorney’s office, which will decide if there will be financial penalties or actions on thier part.
The City Attorney’s office did not respond to San Diego Uptown News by deadline.
On Oct. 10, residents held a rally in front of the property, hoping to gain supporters for a Ken-Tal Planners Group subcommittee meeting, which will be held on Oct. 26 at Franklin Elementary School. The property in question will be addressed at the Oct. 26 meeting. There will also be a Ken-Tal Planning Group meeting on Nov. 9 to further discuss the property.
“Our community meetings are meant to seek the assistance and support of the local planning groups and to place pressure on the relevant city departments to move forward with appropriate actions to remedy the problems,” Waggonner said.
Judson said, “The irony [is] that the property owner… sits as a public member on the Ken-Tal Planning Group project review subcommittee… Perhaps he should step down from that position and spend some time reviewing his own project before he voices his opinion on others.”
Judson also said, “We are hoping to initiate action. At the very least, clean up this blighted eyesore, finish what was started or take it down. Either way, repair the dilapidated conditions that currently exists.”
Utt could not be reached for comment by deadline.
