Thursday, May 20, 2010

Neighborhood pride?


Woodstock has an ordinance about tall or noxious weeds. How long does it take to get it enforced?

This house, located next door to 731 Clay Street, is for sale. Somebody owns it - probably a bank. It shouldn't be too hard for the City to determine the legal owner, even though there appears to be no house number on the property. For starters, a phone call to the Realtor could go a long way toward getting the grass cut.

Let's say the fine is $25/day. In 30 days that's $750. For a lot less, the Realtor or the owner could hire a neighborhood kid or lawn service to knock down the weeds.
Does the City ordinance allow the City, after a certain number of days of non-compliance and citations, to just go there and cut the grass (weeds) and then put a lien on the property for the expense?
A lot of kids in Woodstock could use summer employment. Why not just contract a few of them for $15.00/yard? Because of the high weeds, this one is worth more than $15, but would it really be necessary to send two men, a truck and a weed-cutter, which would probably cost the City $100+? If the house is in foreclosure, a lien would most likely be worthless.

No comments: