Landlord of primarily Hispanic apartment building sues city of Irving

by PegNews wire

IRVING — Brian Schwartz, owner of the Spanish Trace Apartments in Irving, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Irving, which he claims is involved in an "aggressive attempt to rid itself of working class minority immigrants" -- specifically Hispanics who've been fleeing Farmers Branch ever since that city approved a ban on renting to illegal immigrants.

Spanish Trace Apartments contains 136 units, most occupied by low-income Hispanic tenants. Schwartz bought the building in 2006; it passed inspection as recently as December. But Schwartz observed a marked difference in the city's disposition in April, when it stepped up the frequency and severity of its inspections, causing Schwartz to spend more than $100,000 on repairs, which still did not satisfy the city.

On August 16, Irving passed an ordinance that prohibits renting, leasing, or occupancy in a unit after the order of vacation has been issued and/or the certificate of occupancy has been revoked. On August 31, a building inspector posted notices of an "order to vacate" by September 30 on the door to every unit in Spanish Trace Apartments, whereupon the tenants refused to pay.

Schwartz also cites two references in which the city has expressed its intent to raze certain properties, including a comment on the city's Web site and a story in the DMN.

A copy of his lawsuit is here.

Posted by T.G.