Jeff Skaggs, the owner of Competition Auto Sales near 46th and Memorial, expressed his deep concern. At 71 years old, he felt he was facing discrimination. Last August, he was cited by the city of Tulsa for a car lot that was deemed too crowded. Progress Amid Challenges
Although he faced initial setbacks, Skaggs has made significant progress on one of his lots. By applying for a building permit on his adjacent lot, he managed to alleviate some of the pressure. However, when the city inspected his main lot last month, they noted that more cars had been added and there was little effort to comply. Skaggs emphasized the financial strain this had placed on him. "I spent a fortune, a fortune to me. I don't have the same financial resources as the city does," he said. He has taken various measures, including filling a dumpster's worth of items to meet the compliance requirements.
Selective Enforcement Concerns
The question of selective enforcement has naturally come to Skaggs' mind. He pointed out that there are businesses similar to his within 300 yards that seem to operate without facing the same issues. "If you think it's difficult to drive on my parking lot, it's practically impossible on theirs," he stated. This week, Skaggs will be presenting his case before the city council. The Code Enforcement department is expected to recommend denying his appeals. Skaggs firmly believes that something needs to be done about code enforcement. "In my opinion, they are a rogue agency. They can act as they please, applying laws that may or may not be accurate," he said.
Long-standing Business Struggles
Skaggs has been in the car business for 32 years and is determined to keep going. Last summer, he felt that the city was discriminating against him, not only due to his age of 72 years but also because of an accident that had left him disabled. News Channel 8 reached out to the city but has not received a response yet. Skaggs' story highlights the challenges faced by businesses when dealing with code enforcement and the importance of fair treatment. It also raises questions about the consistency and accuracy of enforcement practices.
