L.A. Building and Safety Commissioners unanimously rejected an appeal from the owner of a six-acre hoarder property in La Tuna Canyon, objecting to a city inspection of the land.
The inspection, which took place in July, saw dozens of police, firefighters, and building inspectors descend on what city Councilman Monica Rodriguez said has become a significant nuisance and fire hazard for the neighborhood.
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LADBS Commissioner Javier Nunez said, "That they could not see for themselves the destruction of their property is just unbelievable."
Mary Ferrera, the owner of the parcel, did not attend the meeting.
KNX News' Emily Valdez spoke with neighbor Elena Malone, "So, while I'm thankful that the city offices are working towards this, I still haven't seen any actual change in the situation."
In fact, Malone said, It has gotten worse. "There's been a steady flow of people on and off the property since the search in July...sketchy people."
She said it is unclear who they are or what they are doing, "I don't know if they're stealing stuff or if they're taking stuff off the property that was stolen so that LAPD cannot find that stolen property. I have no idea," she speculates.
Malone believes the appeal was just the latest attempt by the owner and her adult son, David Ferrera, to delay action on the mess. "Delay, delay, delay, and here we are five years later," Malone said.
City officials say the next step is getting a judge to approve a cleanup, which could take some time.
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