Grass court could soon be in session in Anniston.City Council members are considering an ordinance that would cut down on the time it takes to clean up a property in violation of the city's grass and weed statutes.
The ordinance would effectively make it a crime to let grass grow too tall and into an unkempt condition. It would authorize police officers to cite violators with a ticket and a summons to appear at the Anniston Municipal Court.
Council members said the city's current weed and grass abatement procedure is too time-consuming to address all the problematic properties that have sprung up like weeds around the city.
"The system we were operating under was too cumbersome," said Councilman Herbert Palmore. "There was so much delay to notify people, and we never could go on the property to get the grass cut."
Delivering on a campaign promise to clean up Ward 2, Palmore began drafting the new ordinance early this year after receiving a slew of complaints from residents. The council could adopt the measure at Tuesday's council meeting.
Landowners in violation of the new ordinance would have 14 days to cut the grass after being ticketed for the offense. If the violation persists, the city will cut the grass and place a lien against the property. Property owners could be fined as much as $200.
"I think it will streamline the process," Mayor Chip Howell said. "This will allow our public works to issue a citation on the premises and that begins the clock ticking."
The old ordinance, which is no more than two paragraphs, makes it unlawful for grass to exceed 12 inches.
The city relied on the abatement procedure and state law for placing liens on properties.
"(The proposed ordinance is) much more comprehensive; the first one was two paragraphs," said City Manager Rick Whitehead.
Council members also said the ordinance would lower the number of rodents, insects and other pests that find breeding grounds in overgrown properties.
For John Norton, the ordinance should spell relief for some of the residents of Ward 1.
"We are desperately trying to clean up our neighborhoods and to improve the appearance of the neighborhood and improve housing and things of that nature," Norton said. "I think this ordinance is going to assist in our efforts. I have had several complaints from people in my ward that are literally taking money out of their own pocket to pay to have the grass cut on the property next door to them. That's not fair."
The council also is drafting a new ordinance addressing the abatement of dilapidated structures.
The next Anniston City Council meeting will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
