REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 5, 2015
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: DEL ESTABROOKE, Code Enforcement Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
1. BILL NO. B-3 - (Intro. 2/26/2015) (For adoption) - Relating to the Annual Weed Abatement Program
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt the attached ordinance approving the procedures for the 2015 Weed Abatement Program, and declare that dry grass, weeds, trash, and debris on vacant lots pose a significant fire hazard in the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It is the priority of the City of Fresno to protect and preserve neighborhoods through a variety of mechanisms. The Fresno Municipal Code requires that all vacant parcels within the City Limits be cleared and mowed by April 15 of each year. By keeping properties free from dry grass, weeds, trash and debris, the City is protecting surrounding investments from fire hazard and preserving property values.
The City has conducted a proactive weed abatement notification program from 2004 to 2011 with great success. There are approximately 4,000 vacant (undeveloped) parcels within the City Limits. This action provides for proactive notification of property owners to allow for immediate abatement without the need for a fifteen (15) day courtesy notice. Proactive notification of property owners results in a 98.81% compliance rate which reduces the need to issue citations or to conduct additional inspections.
Additionally, this action will allow for proactive abatement in cases of repeat violations, thus reducing fire hazard and blighting conditions which infringe on surrounding neighborhoods and properties.
BACKGROUND
The goal of the Weed Abatement Program is to keep the community free of fire hazards and blight through proactive code enforcement throughout the year and especially during fire season....
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