[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Algoma 6-20-2007 by Ord. No. 129. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 8-16-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
A.
This chapter applies to the following:
(1)
Lots in a platted subdivision with a structure.
(2)
Vacant lots within platted residential subdivisions.
(3)
Vacant lots zoned B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1 or PDD and two acres or less
in size adjacent to a residential or platted area.
(4)
At least 30 feet from the roadway of vacant lots zoned B-1, B-2,
B-3, M-1 or PDD and more than two acres in size.
B.
This chapter does not apply to the following:
(1)
Land used and zoned for agricultural purposes.
(2)
Portions of lots used for flower gardens, shrubbery or vegetable
gardens.
(3)
Naturally wooded areas, regulated wetlands or meadows, provided that
appropriate measures are taken to eliminate noxious weeds as defined
in § 66.0407, Wis. Stats.
(4)
Areas designated as undeveloped open space.
[Amended 8-16-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
A.
The owner of every parcel of land within the Town to which this ordinance
applies shall cut or cause to be cut all grasses prior to them exceeding
eight (8) inches in height throughout the growing season. This includes
dandelions, weeds, vegetative growth and noxious weeds as defined
in § 66.0407, Wis. Stats.
B.
The owner of every parcel of land within the Town to which this chapter
applies, if possible, should cut all grasses and vegetation within
the right-of-way prior to them exceeding eight inches in height. Every
owner should attempt to keep the right-of-way free of long grass and
vegetation always being mindful of safety.
[Amended 8-16-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
A.
Each year prior to the growing season, the Town shall publish a notice
of grass and weed maintenance in a newsletter, on its website and
post several places within the Town. This shall be the only notice
given to property owners.
B.
All uncut growth as outlined in § 130-2 is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and fire hazard and shall be cut by the Town at its option. In addition to any other penalty provided in this chapter, the costs thereof, together with an administrative charge applied to the bill imposed each time the growth is cut, shall be charged against the property as a special tax.
An owner of land in the Town may apply to the Chair of the Parks
Committee or designee for approval of a nature area on privately owned
land. The application shall define the proposed nature area indicating
the types of vegetation to be used and any other information the Chair
deems necessary. The owner shall agree to hold the Town harmless for
all acts necessary to enforce its weed cutting and lawn care regulations.
There shall be specific management techniques outlined to control
weeds and noxious weeds and rodent infiltration.
Failure to comply with the Land Management Plan for the area may result in revocation of approval. The Parks Committee Chair shall mail to the owner of the property in question a notice of intent to revoke the plan, allowing the owner 30 days to either correct the violations or to convert the property into a mowed and manicured lawn composed of a common stand of turf grass mowed to a height of not greater than eight inches. Failure to act on the notice shall entitle the Town to proceed according to § 130-2 above.
[Amended 6-15-2016; 8-16-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
All property owners have been notified prior to the growing
season with a notice of grass and weed maintenance in a newsletter,
on the Town's website and posted several places within the Town.
The Town Administrator, Road/Drainage Coordinator or designee shall
take action to abate such nuisances.
If the Town causes a nuisance to be removed as provided in § 130-6 above, the actual costs thereof, together with an administrative fee equal to 10% of the actual cost, shall be charged to the property owner. If such charges are not paid by November 15 of the year in which they are billed, such charges, together with an additional administrative fee for collection equal to 10% of the total of such charges and fees, shall be extended on the next succeeding tax roll as a tax charged against the property affected and collected in the same manner as are other taxes, pursuant to § 66.0517, Wis. Stats.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Section 8 (of Ord. No. 129), Penalty
provisions, which immediately followed this section, was repealed
6-15-2016.
