[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of Trustees of the
Township of Lawrence 7-10-1997, as amended 6-13-2013 (Ord. No.
17 of the 2005 Code). Subsequent amendments noted
where applicable.]
And ordinance to prevent, reduce or eliminate blight, blighting
factors or causes of blight within Lawrence Township, Van Buren County,
Michigan; to provide for the enforcement hereof; and to provide penalties
for the violation hereof. Pursuant to the enacting authority therefor
provided by Act 344 of the Public Acts of 1945,[1] as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 125.71 et seq.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Lawrence Township
Blight Ordinance."
Consistent with the letter and spirit of Public Act 344 of 1945,[1] as amended, it is the purpose of this chapter to prevent,
reduce or eliminate blight or potential blight in Lawrence Township
by the prevention or elimination of certain environmental causes of
blight or blighting factors which exist or which may in the future
exist in said Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 125.71 et seq.
It is hereby determined that the following uses, structures
and activities are causes of blight or blighting factors which, if
allowed to exist, will tend to result in blighted and undesirable
areas in the Township. On and after the effective date of this chapter,
no person, firm or corporation of any kind shall maintain or permit
to be maintained any of these causes of blight or blighting factors
upon any property in Lawrence Township owned, leased, rented, used
or occupied by such person, firm or corporation, all of which are
declared a public nuisance:
A.
In any area within the Township, including upon any public or private
right-of-way or street or other public property, the parking, storage,
abandonment, discarding or permitting to remain on premises of any
inoperable, wrecked or partially dismantled motor vehicle or a part
of motor vehicle. The absence of a current license plate or the growing
of vegetation up and/or around the vehicle or the vehicle otherwise
appearing unmoved for a period exceeding 15 days shall be prima facie
evidence that the vehicle is inoperable. This section shall not apply
to a motor vehicle or part thereof which is entirely enclosed in a
building, which is on the premises of a business enterprise operated
in a lawful place and manner, when necessary to the operation of such
business enterprise, or which is lawfully operated as a junkyard,
licensed under Township ordinance.[1]
B.
In any area within the Township, the storage or accumulation of junk,
trash, rubbish or refuse of any kind without a landfill permit, except
domestic refuse stored in such a manner as not to create a nuisance
for a period not to exceed 15 days. The term "junk" shall include
parts of machinery, used stoves or other appliances stored in the
open, remnants of woods, metal or any other material or other cast-off
material of any kind whether or not the same could be put to any reasonable
use. This provision shall not prohibit those who heat their homes
or other structures on premises from neatly stacking wood for this
purpose so long as the quantity is reasonable and no other law is
violated in doing so.
C.
In any area within the Township, the existence of any structure or
part of any structure which, because of fire, wind or other natural
disaster, or physical deterioration is no longer habitable, if a dwelling,
nor useful for any other purpose for which it may have been intended.
D.
In any area within the Township, the existence of any vacant dwelling,
garage, or other outbuilding unless such buildings are kept securely
locked, windows kept glazed or neatly boarded up and otherwise protected
to prevent entrance thereto by vandals or other unauthorized persons.
E.
In any area within the Township, the existence of any partially completed
structured unless such structure is in the course of construction
in accordance with a valid building permit issued by the Township
and unless such construction is completed within time allowed by the
permit or any express extension thereof.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Township official designated by resolution of the Township Board. The enforcement shall have the discretion to give a warning to an offender prior to issuing a formal municipal civil infraction citation. Chapter 25, Municipal Civil Infractions, of the Code of the Township of Lawrence shall control procedures used in enforcing this chapter, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
[Amended 4-12-2018]
Any person found to have violated this chapter by a court of competent jurisdiction is responsible for a municipal civil infraction under Chapter 25, Municipal Civil Infractions, of the Code of the Township of Lawrence.
The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable,
and if any clause, sentence, word, section or provision is declared
void or unenforceable for any reason by any court of competent jurisdiction,
it shall not affect any portion of this chapter other than said part
or portion thereof.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this
chapter are hereby repealed, except that this chapter shall not be
construed to repeal any provision in the municipal zoning ordinance,
subdivision control ordinance, or building code adopted or hereafter
adopted in Lawrence Township.
This chapter shall take effect 30 days following its publication
after its adoption.
