... perhaps someone needs to file compliance complaint on them?
Two articles (below) about Hyde Park facing $2,000/day fine for hanging colorful, international flags (and has been for 5 yrs), must now remove them thanks to an anonymous complaint.
Yet, Code Compliance will not do enough for real issues.. Issues leading to unsafe living conditions, leading to emergency tenant displacement (w/no transition plans).
The pending proposals/ordinance not only need teeth for real enforcement, they need to be clear on the concept of prioritization!
Since when are flags more important than hot/cold running water, safe buildings, air/heat, no insect infestations? Did it get attention because the complaint came out of Hyde Park (aka $$$ (better/higher than low-income residents) and/or non-minority)?
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August 26, 2013
In August, Hyde Park Market, Deli and Organic Grocery removed about 20 international flags that hung from the storefront awning after the city found the flags to be out of code.
A code violation has forced Hyde Park Market, Deli and Organic Grocery to remove about 20 international flags that have hung from the store's awning for the past five years.
An anonymous citizen's complaint about the flags on June 17 led the city of Austin to investigate whether the flags at the eclectic convenience store, which sells everything from craft beer and chocolates to tools and hardware, violated city code. An investigation found that the flags were out of compliance, "as the only sign on the property that has a permit is the Shell sign," according to city documents.
Hyde Park Market owner Tony Hooman said he disagrees with the city's claim that the flags should be classified as "signs." However, he took down the flags in August after the city threatened him with a $2,000 per day fine if he did not remove them.
"The city has so much to mess with, and I can't believe they spent the energy, time and tax dollars to come after me for this," Hooman said.
Hooman said he is meeting with an attorney over how to proceed with the issue. Also, an electronic petition is being circulated among Hyde Park and Hancock residents showing support for the flags.
"This is another example of Austin getting a little less weird," Hyde Park resident Tom Schneider said. "Soon enough, every store will be the same and there won't be anything special [about Austin]."
Meanwhile, Hooman is looking to add between 200–300 taps of beer and a beer garden at Hyde Park Market. Hooman has been meeting with local neighborhood groups about the expansion plan before filing paperwork with the city, he said.
"It's crucial that we are all in one boat and able to communicate so no one has feelings that they weren't involved," he said. "If it wasn't for [neighborhood residents], nothing would be here."
Related article: Daily Texan "Hyde Park Flag Store forced to take down all of its flags"
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