Change to weed ordinance cut down
The many people who spoke, called and e-mailed in opposition to easing weed abatement regulations can now relax, at least until their yards get too shaggy.
The Lincoln City Council voted 6-0 to keep the maximum height for weeds and other “worthless vegetation” at six inches. The superintendent of the office in charge of enforcing that code had asked that the maximum be increased to 12 inches.
“I think this is the wrong kind of change to make,” Councilman Jonathan Cook said.
He noted that members of the public who spoke about the issue during last week’s council meeting — 13 in all — all requested the rule remain as is.
Council members also said the public offered good ideas about how to better notify property owners who have been lackadaisical about toward yard care.
Those ideas included sending postcards or hanging notices on violators’ doors.
“We’re pleased that Council listened to the public and folks that are dealing with this on a daily basis,” said Michael Snodgrass, executive director of NeighborWorks Lincoln.
“I think some good came of this,” said Councilman Ken Svboda, who introduced the proposal.
Lancaster County Weed Control Authority Superintendent Russ Shultz wasn’t at the afternoon meeting to see the change he proposed voted down.
He said he understood why people didn’t want to ease the rule, though he noted that the photos of unsightly property that the public brought to last week’s hearing would still be problems if the ordinance had been altered.
“All those were talking about severe situations,” he said. “It’s the kind of thing we need to be dealing with.”
Shultz said perhaps the city could assist in producing education campaigns with neighborhood groups, letting them know that severe violators are the ones that need to be called in, and that when a yard does get mowed, that update needs to be called in, as well.
He said he and his three inspectors would continue to respond as best they can to calls from the public. He and the inspectors make about 5,000 inspections a year, he said.
“It’s not that we can’t continue with the program; we can’t do everything.”
Reach Cory Matteson at 473-7438 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.
The Lincoln City Council voted 6-0 to keep the maximum height for weeds and other “worthless vegetation” at six inches. The superintendent of the office in charge of enforcing that code had asked that the maximum be increased to 12 inches.
“I think this is the wrong kind of change to make,” Councilman Jonathan Cook said.
He noted that members of the public who spoke about the issue during last week’s council meeting — 13 in all — all requested the rule remain as is.
Council members also said the public offered good ideas about how to better notify property owners who have been lackadaisical about toward yard care.
Those ideas included sending postcards or hanging notices on violators’ doors.
“We’re pleased that Council listened to the public and folks that are dealing with this on a daily basis,” said Michael Snodgrass, executive director of NeighborWorks Lincoln.
“I think some good came of this,” said Councilman Ken Svboda, who introduced the proposal.
Lancaster County Weed Control Authority Superintendent Russ Shultz wasn’t at the afternoon meeting to see the change he proposed voted down.
He said he understood why people didn’t want to ease the rule, though he noted that the photos of unsightly property that the public brought to last week’s hearing would still be problems if the ordinance had been altered.
“All those were talking about severe situations,” he said. “It’s the kind of thing we need to be dealing with.”
Shultz said perhaps the city could assist in producing education campaigns with neighborhood groups, letting them know that severe violators are the ones that need to be called in, and that when a yard does get mowed, that update needs to be called in, as well.
He said he and his three inspectors would continue to respond as best they can to calls from the public. He and the inspectors make about 5,000 inspections a year, he said.
“It’s not that we can’t continue with the program; we can’t do everything.”
Reach Cory Matteson at 473-7438 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.
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