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Grass becomes growing nuisance for township
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - July 09, 2009)
Grass becomes growing nuisance for township
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees have a growing problem.
Last week, the board explored what role local government should have in maintaining residential lawns.
While the board agreed that the township should not expend public funds for the upkeep of private property, it was undecided as to when and how it's best to intervene.
The question arose when Trustee Michael Brown related his experience while out hunting for bargains at garage sales. At the corner of Catalpa and Rosewood drives, he said, a foreclosed property was unattended with high grass.
Township Zoning Inspector Donald Mohney said the problem could become a growing one, given that foreclosures continue to mount in the county. He said he's aware of at least two other locations in the township where the grass is not being mowed.
The board agreed to start with a letter to the bank, asking it to tend to the lawn.
Mr. Brown was not the only one to notice the untended lawn.
Township Fiscal Officer Joan Windnagel said residents complained that they live in one of the better neighborhoods in the township, and the lawns there are expected to be nice.
Mr. Brown said there is something to be said for the appearance of a neighborhood, especially if one homeowner is trying to sell and a neighboring yard is not kept up.
But he said township government should be the last resort for intervention in such matters. He said he wants to keep the door open for intervention only in extreme cases.
Mr. Brown said costs incurred by the township should it intervene should be borne by the property owner. The township can bill a property owner if hired crews must mow a lawn, or the cost can be affixed to a tax duplicate, he said.
However, Trustee Steven Borawski said the township should "tread lightly" when it comes to mowing lawns.
He said the township has no zoning ordinance governing lawns, and it has not become involved in such matters in the past.
He said he believes watching over the lawns may fall outside the realm of what duties the township is entrusted with. He said the sole responsibility of the township is to clear high grass along public rights of way that may interfere with sight distance.
Mr. Borawski said the township is primarily rural and should stay that way. If a resident does not mow a patch of grass along a wooded lot, he said, he does not believe it is the township's responsibility to force that owner to do so. "The next thing we'll be telling people what kind of trees to plant," he said.
Mr. Borawski said the only time he could see the township getting involved is if an unoccupied home became a health issue. Then, he said, the township would involve the Geauga County Health Department.
He said if people are patient, the issue would likely be resolved in a short time when a foreclosed home is sold and a new neighbor moves in. He said for many facing foreclosure today, he said, neighbors must keep in mind that they are enduring a hardship that requires sympathy, not a heavy hand.
Trustee Charles Strazinsky said he was divided on the issue, seeing the merits of both arguments.
He said he did not want the township to begin policing people's habits. "None of us want more maintenance type of zoning -- that's for the city," he said.
But, he said, there may be times when the township should intervene, because unkempt properties could hold down the values of those around it, Mr. Strazinsky said.
For now, the township will await word from the bank and hope that the matter will be taken care of without further intervention by the township.
Mr. Brown said he plans to survey other townships to determine how they handle such matters.
"Fortunately, there has not been a rash of foreclosures. There's not as whole lot of abandoned properties and, God willing, we won't have," Mr. Brown said.
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