San Marcos officials grapple with code violations at troubled Sutton Apartment complex
Published: Sat, 10/21/23
San Marcos officials grapple with code violations at troubled Sutton Apartment complex
Notice to Evacuate posted at one Sutton Apartment unit.
(Photo: CBS Austin)
CBS Austin
by Andrew Freeman
SAN MARCOS, Texas — The city of San Marcos spoke on its code compliance protocols following last Friday's police operation of a troubled San Marcos apartment complex that's had more than 80 police service calls this summer alone, and more than 50 code violation complaints since January.
Those complaints include mold, sewage backup, and gas leaks. Under new management, the city hopes the Sutton Apartment Complex will get things in order, but if they don't, the city may move to condemn the property.
"It's not right. It's not right, it's not humane," Tenant Cyrus Wright said. "Day two of moving in, we immediately had no AC.”
Each resident of the Sutton apartments, tells a different story of neglect.
"My nephew, he got sick from the mold. I got sick from the mold. My niece got sick from the mold.” Crystal Harris, another tenant, said.
Angela Aldridge was forced to move out of the complex in August due to a gas leak. She still visits frequently to check on her elderly mother.
"She’s in fear for her life, and the only reason she’s still here is because she really can’t afford to go another else,” Aldridge said.
The City of San Marcos has issued more than 50 code violations to the complex since January, with multiple fines also being issued to the property. San Marcos' Environmental Health and Safety Specialist Shanna O’Brian says it's a delicate situation.
"The important thing is that we try to gain voluntary compliance," O'Brien said. "And we don’t want to displace people if we don’t have to.”
Even before San Marcos code enforcement and the Fire Marshal vacated dozens of units back in August due to health concerns, O'Brian says the city has been working with the complex to fix those violations.
"There is a process the city has to give the owners time to make those repairs,” O'Brien said. "[Sutton management] gave a kind of another timeline of things. Unfortunately, that wasn't addressed."
If things don't change soon, the city may have to consider condemning the property.
"It's not easy," O'Brien said. "I know people just want us to flip the switch and shut the place down, but we are considerate of the families that live there.”
The city says it has been working with the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team in the event they have to take those steps.
"If they needed a security deposit for another rental location or maybe they need a short-term hotel stay. We’re definitely here, ready to assist the people being evacuated from Sutton.” Elizabeth Wills, the Executive Director of BR3T, said.
In the meantime, BR3T encourages Sutton residents to apply for assistance to be moved somewhere else.
"The living conditions are pretty bad over there. And nobody should have to live like that.” Wills said.
For those looking for help from BR3T, they can visit its website.