Refusal to cut grass leads to new rules
By Turner Walston
Published in News on July 21, 2005 1:48 PM
A committee of Pikeville residents formed to review the town's lawn maintenance ordinance drafted a revision Wednesday night that would require residents to cut their grass when it reaches a foot in height or have the town cut it for them and bill them for the work.
The issue arose after Dennis Lewis, who lives on East Church Street, refused to cut his grass. Lewis said he is protesting the fact that town officials do not keep the grass mowed on town property near his home.
The grounds around the old Pikeville School building aren't kept up as they should be, he said. Lewis also said the old building should be demolished.
"Property held by the town should be held to the same compliance," said Lewis, who is a member of the committee
The proposal says weeds or turf grass in excess of 12 inches tall represents a public nuisance.
Following a report to the town administrator, the owner of a property in violation will be granted a hearing. The property owner would have 15 days to correct the problem.
If the property owner fails to correct the condition within 15 days of a notice to do so, the town can take action at cost to the owner.
Approved by the committee, the proposed ordinance will be discussed at a public hearing during the town board's September 5 meeting, Graves said.
"It's a very contentious item here in Pikeville," he said.
The proposal also would require property owners to remove trash,animal or vegetable matter and abandoned appliances.
Pikeville Mayor Herb Sieger said town officials are looking for ways to use the old school property.
Town Administrator Lonnie Graves said today that the town has completed a grant application for a farmers' market on the land on which the gym currently stands.
"I think it'll be a win-win situation," he said of the grant. "We'll get the gym taken down, and we'll get a farmers' market."