The city council passed on first reading Thursday an enhancement to the city's ordinance on garbage, weeds, trash and other waste to address overgrown lots throughout the city.
The changes address concerns of both landowners and neighbors forced to deal with unmanaged weeds and grass growth by defining a process for exemptions while also empowering neighbors to object and hold public hearings.
"This puts the burden on someone seeking an exemption to make the request, to pay for it, and if there is an objection to have a public hearing," Murfreesboro City Attorney Susan McGannon said. "It updates those areas which should be exempt as a matter of right."
Councilman Toby Gilley expressed concerns over what the changes will allow Indian Hills Golf Course to do with property near his home.
"As a resident of the area, I want it cut, but I'll let the ordinance go and see if they are able to prevail on the Board of Zoning," Gilley said. "I want to go on the record as saying, as a resident of that neighborhood, it looks awful."
Councilman Doug Young approached the issue from a different angle asking whether two grass cuttings is enough. The define cuttings have been in place for lots larger than two acres since 1990. Murfreesboro Building Codes Director Gary Whitaker said it works and should not change.
"There are still people who farm some land. Two cuttings allow people to get two cuttings of hay from that property. If we move that to four time a year, those people will not be able to get their hay. This ordinance has worked very well," Whitaker said.
The city currently requires a 50-foot barrier to be maintained at 12 inches or less for properties allowed two cuttings per growing season.
"Unfortunately, due to the economy, there's a lot of properties you'll see that are not mowed, but we have sent notices," said Whitaker.
The updated ordinance will have two more readings before final passage by the council. |
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