Judge Issues Order to Runnels Automotive to Remove Vehicles
South Lake Tahoe0, CA (August 7, 2015) – On August 6, 2015, after a four-hour hearing, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Proud issued an order granting the City of South Lake Tahoe’s application for abatement to remove the abandoned vehicles stored at Runnels Automotive located at 986 Emerald Bay Road, which is the corner of Highway 50 and Lake Tahoe Blvd (also known as the “Y”).
Assistant City Attorney Nira Doherty submitted four hours of findings during the evidentiary hearing. The Court determined that the vehicles stored at 986 Emerald Bay Road constituted abandoned vehicles under the South Lake Tahoe Municipal Code (“city code”) and the California Vehicle Code. The City agreed to give the owner of the property 30 days to remove all vehicles.
The City’s strategic plan and goals include the implementation of the “Fixin’ 50” initiative, improving the built environment and enforcement of City Codes. “The City has been discussing solutions with Mr. Runnels during the past year and we recognize this is not the outcome Mr. Runnels desired,” said City Manager Nancy Kerry.
The City Code does not authorize the storage of abandoned vehicles on any parcel located within City limits. “Removing the vehicles from Mr. Runnel’s property, which is in compliance with the City Code, will improve the appearance of “Y”, which a highly visible intersection in the community. The City appreciates Mr. Runnels cooperation through this process as he pursued his right to have this matter heard through the courts and we appreciate his continued support in compliance with the judge’s order," said City Manager Nancy Kerry.
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