By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Nearing the end of July, Decatur’s building and zoning department continues to battle unsightly situations around the city.
By mid-July, the department had sent out 176 abatement notices, an average of well over one per every weekday, according to department head Curt Witte.
Those notices call for cleanups of high grass and other vegetation, junk in yards, dilapidated buildings, immobile vehicles and more.
As has been often said by Witte and Mayor Dan Rickord, the building/zoning department doesn’t look for such situations; nearly all abatement notices are the result of complaints from neighbors.
“Just remember, when you mow your yard, you are doing it for your neighbors,” Rickord once said.
Following is City Code 920 2:
Height restrictions: Vegetation that grows beyond six inches in height is considered neglected.
Noxious weeds: Specific plants like thistle and poison ivy are identified as noxious and are subject to removal.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance is required to prevent vegetation from becoming a nuisance.
33 TIMES: The latest code enforcement brought before the city’s board of works and safety involved a home on Schirmeyer St.
Brad Roe, the department’s assistant superintendent, talked about the on-again, off-again situation at the home, with a cleanup followed by another return to high grass, junk, etc.
He said the department has visited the home no less than 33 times in the past three years to take photos, including eight times this year.
The homeowner attended the meeting and told the board she has hired someone to assist her. She said she has a couple of jobs and a husband who is disabled.
The woman was given more time to have the situation rectified.
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