Chris McGinn, director of Neighborhood & Inspection Services, told City Council during a work session Nov. 15 that about 58,000 residents live at 86 apartment complexes in Lewisville. Those 86 complexes include any dwelling with three or more units. Lewisville has more than 23,000 total units.
The annexation of Castle Hills, which became effective Nov. 15, added nine more complexes and about 2,722 more units to that inventory, he said.
Additionally, 4 new multifamily complexes opened this year; three others with nearly 700 more units are either under review or under construction, McGinn said.
The city currently has one inspector who visits each complex annually and checks at least one unit per building. Complexes that pass receive a certificate of inspection permit each year.
“Annual inspections do make a difference,” said McGinn, adding that a majority of complexes have some sort of violation to be addressed. “We’re going to be holding these apartment complexes to a certain standard.”
The city recently moved its inspection program from building inspection department to code enforcement, which has helped improve processes, he said. It also created a uniform inspection checklist. As part of the annexation of Castle Hills, the city is adding a second inspector to its staff, according to McGinn.
During the first quarter of 2022, McGinn said the council will have a chance to consider a proposed update to the city’s ordinance regarding inspections. Also up for consideration next year is a fee increase and a request for a third inspector, McGinn said.
The inspection program, funded by fees assessed to complexes, generates about $163,125 each year based on the number of units inspected. The new proposed fee would charge complexes $13 per unit and generate about $338,429 each year. That extra revenue will help fund the additional inspector, McGinn said.
“What is a way that we can do something to enhance the life of over half of Lewisville’s residents? I think this is it. I think this is a good way to do it,” McGinn said.
