Gabe Stark
Reporter

Trenton officials are looking at ways to address tall grass and weed violations more quickly, with the goal of getting problem properties cleaned up without waiting for the municipal court process to run its course.

The approach was discussed during Monday night’s Trenton Building and Nuisance Board meeting as city officials outlined information received from municipal legal counsel.

Under the process discussed, the city could make an initial inspection and notify a property owner that a violation must be corrected within the required period. If the violation remains when the city returns, officials could seek an administrative search warrant allowing the city or a contractor to enter the property and mow it.

The separate process for issuing fines would remain unchanged because property owners are still entitled to due process through municipal court.

City officials said the mowing expense and administrative costs could be charged to the property owner, with unpaid costs potentially added to the property’s tax bill.

The city’s ordinance generally prohibits grass and weeds from exceeding eight inches.

City Administrator Matt Harline said the intent is not to punish property owners who occasionally have difficulty keeping up with their lawns, but to deal more effectively with repeat violations.

“Our goal here is to get compliance,” Harline told the board. “We’re not looking for a pound of flesh. We’re looking for a lot of grass cut.”

The board also discussed whether mailed notices could create problems if they are delayed. Officials said posting notices directly on properties could be considered if mail delivery becomes a recurring issue.

Code enforcement duties are also being reorganized. The city is creating a full-time code enforcement position that will handle nuisance and building-code work under Community Development Director Wes Barone.

Barone said enforcement will continue to involve both citizen complaints and proactive inspections of neighborhoods.

The broader discussion over nuisance enforcement carried into one of the board’s most detailed property hearings involving resident Michael Beach.

Beach told the board he and his wife purchased the house knowing it required substantial work and have spent nearly three years improving it. Work has included removing damaged materials, updating electrical work, installing insulation and drywall and placing a new metal roof on the structure. Beach also said he had removed much of the debris around the property and continued cleaning vegetation from the yard.

Beach acknowledged that broken windows and damaged siding still needed attention, but questioned whether those conditions made the house a dangerous building under city code as the city contends.

“We’re simply asking the board to distinguish between a home undergoing renovation and a building that actually meets the legal standard of a dangerous building,” Beach said.

Barone explained that dangerous building concerns can involve more than whether a structure is in danger of collapsing. He said broken windows or other openings can allow children, animals or unauthorized people to enter a building and create additional safety concerns.

Barone also said tall grass and weeds are often what first bring a property to the city’s attention.

“The first thing that draws attention to a property is the maintenance of the yard,” Barone said.

He said keeping vegetation cut and removing debris can prevent many complaints from developing into larger nuisance cases.

Beach told the board he would continue maintaining the property, replace the broken windows and address the remaining exterior issues.

The board granted Beach another 30 days to complete the work.

Several other properties were also considered during the meeting.

The board advanced 423 West 20th Street to the public hearing stage as the city continues working toward demolition.

Properties at 1006 Haliburton Street, 2113 Lulu Street, 402 East 17th Street and 1502 Main Street were moved forward to findings of fact.

The board granted 60-day extensions for 1411 Main St., 1000 Tinsman Ave. and 506 W. Crowder Road.

A 30-day extension was granted for 1508 Main St., while 1004 Laclede St. received another 60 days as the city continues working through the demolition process.

The board removed 1015 Clark St. from its nuisance list after officials reported the required work was essentially complete.