Residents urge action on permit delays, property maintenance and police responsiveness

Two Forest Park residents used the public-comment portion of the May 4 meeting to press the city on permitting delays and neighborhood decline.

Will Littlejohn, who said he lives at 10633 Bradbury Drive and has been a resident more than 36 years, reported a foundation leak and said a building-permit application submitted April 8 had not been approved within 30 days. He said staff told him the permit costs $242 and that an additional $248 would be required to expedite processing; Littlejohn asked whether the council could help avoid paying an additional fee so repairs could proceed. Assistant City Manager Andy Lebenduski responded, "I'll look into that, and I'll get back," and said he would follow up the next day.

Harriet Chip of 705 Danbury Road told the council she has lived in Forest Park about 40 years and described concerns about property maintenance, trash at a plaza on Northland Boulevard, inconsistent parking enforcement and difficulty getting staff assistance for permits. Chip said she has paid taxes and invested in the community and urged more proactive code enforcement and better customer service from the city's permitting office.

The mayor and staff thanked both speakers; Lebenduski committed to investigating Littlejohn's permit status and returning with an update.