COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater City Manager Keith Baker reported to the City Council Monday night that there have been about 400 citations issued to property owners by the city for grass, junk and front yard parking this year.
Baker said as a result of enforcement actions by the Neighborhood Services Department, there have been 27 grass abatements and 16 junk abatements conducted by City contractors since April 1.
During the June 13 meeting, the City Council asked questions about the enforcement and regulation of the parking of vehicles in front yards and private residential property in general. After a power point presentation by director of public safety Joe Scheid, it was decided by the Council to have the staff present comparisons to other communities and to put together fee structure options for violations.
Meanwhile, the City Council introduced an ordinance on Monday that changes to the city’s landscaping ordinance. The Coldwater Planning Commission formally recommended the proposed changes to the city’s landscaping ordinance eight months ago.
City Planner Dean Walrack said the changes were drafted to provide more clarity and direction on the City’s development expectations and to provide for some relief from standards which have been out-of-scale with other requirements or difficult to administer.
The changes would also provide a framework by which an applicant may propose an alternative plan for the Planning Commission. Second reading and adoption of the ordinance is now scheduled for the Council’s next meeting on July 25.
It shouldn’t matter if people park on their own private property at night. I know our drive way only allows for one car to be in the driveway.