Housing Code Advisory and Appeals Board Meeting - March 11, 2026

The Housing Code Advisory and Appeals Board met on March 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Historic City Hall Hearing Room, 915 I Street, Sacramento. Members present: Chair Brandon Fisher, George Antablian, and Clancy Taylor. Vice Chair Barry Boyd was absent. The meeting addressed eight contested housing code cost recovery appeals, one uncontested cost recovery docket, and the election of officers for 2026. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Approval of Minutes (January 14, 2026): Approved unanimously 3-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on matters not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Notice & Order Appeal (4124 T ST, District 6): Rescheduled; no action taken.
• Item 3 – 3923 39th St (District 5, Invoice $1,597.50, case 25-027104): Appellant Jaiden Reece (caretaker) requested a payment plan and explained the owner was in a mental health facility. The board upheld the invoice amount but directed a 30-day hold on any additional penalties/fees from March 11, 2026. Motion carried 3-0.
• Item 4 – 7920 Deer Lake Dr (District 8, Invoice $1,597.50, case 25-029683): Appellant Sommer Rose testified that she attempted to pay but could not due to system issues. The board reduced the invoice to $1,277 to offset late fees. Motion carried 3-0.
• Item 5 – 2204 Sandcastle Wy (District 3, Invoice $1,725.30, case 25-041497): Appellant Ray Derby argued that the rental housing inspection program is a “scam” and that he would have fixed the dry rot without city intervention. The board upheld the full invoice. Motion carried 3-0.
• Item 6 – 133 Redwood Av (District 2, Invoice $1,597.50, case 25-029621): Appellant Ewan Wallace explained that PG&E’s construction work caused the gas outage; he installed an electric water heater without a permit. The board reduced the invoice to $1,000 and directed a 30-day hold on additional fees to allow permit acquisition. Motion carried 3-0.
• Items 7–9 – 3624 Willow St (District 2, three invoices: $1,877.50, $1,980, $13,520): Appellant Raj Lakdawala (co-owner) stated that their plumber had completed work, but the city hired a contractor after communication lapses. The board upheld all three invoices (totaling $17,377.50). Motions carried 3-0 on each.
• Item 10 – 1416 22nd St (District 4, Invoice $1,780, case 25-013984): Appellant Adele Lueras explained delays obtaining permits due to historic district requirements. The board upheld the invoice. Motion carried 3-0.
• Item 11 – Uncontested Cost Recovery (Lines 1-17, 19-208): Approved unanimously 3-0. (Line 18 for 3439 23rd St was a late appeal and not included.)
• Item 12 – Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2026: Brandon Fisher was re-elected as Chair (unanimous). Clancy Taylor was elected as Vice Chair (unanimous). Discussion clarified that members may serve a maximum of two calendar years in each leadership position, consistent with past practice.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on contested items: All upholds or reductions carried 3-0. Specific reductions: Item 4 ($1,277), Item 6 ($1,000). Items 3 and 6 included a 30-day hold on additional penalties/fees from March 11, 2026.
• Late fee discussion: Board members expressed concern that reducing base invoices to offset late fees (assessed by the Department of Revenue) negatively impacts the Community Development Department’s cost recovery. They directed staff to explore options for the board to address late fees directly.
• Elections: Chair Brandon Fisher and Vice Chair Clancy Taylor will lead the board for 2026.
• Next steps: Appellants were advised to contact the Secretary for payment plans and to work with inspectors to resolve open violations.