ABC-7 Listens: Woman Facing Codes Violation Over City Property

by ABC-7 Reporter Jill Galus

EL PASO, Texas — An elderly El Paso woman says she is lost over a codes violation from the city. It wants her to keep up property that does not belong to her. In fact, the property belongs to the city.

“I couldn’t believe it, I didn’t know what to think,” said homeowner Maria Aguilar about how she felt when she received the codes violation in the mail about a month ago.

“It’s frustrating having to be accountable for something I don’t think is fair.”

It’s unfair, she said, because she has lived in the house for the past 35 years and until now, never had a complaint. A stone fence outlines her property and her yard is routinely maintained. But it is a wooded space between her wall and a canal that the city is now saying she has to clean.

“Our records are showing it to be her responsibility – it’s part of her lot that she’s responsible for,” said Ginny Castaneda, a compliance supervisor for the city Environmental Services Department.

Thick brush makes it difficult to even walk in the wooded space.

“If I had known about it maybe it wouldn’t have gotten to where it is now and it would have gotten cleaned before,” Aguilar said.

Officials with Environmental Services said a 10-foot utility easement, or limited right to use of property, runs right through the area, and that is why it’s Aguilar’s job to maintain the land.

“I need help, it’s not cheap,” Aguilar said.

Officials said a portion of the land may be used later, but it needs to be cleared. Otherwise, Maria could face up to a $2,000 fine.