Published: May 01, 2008 09:30 am      

Inspector warns against overgrown lawns

City prepared to issue warnings, steep fines for long grass

By Sean Bailey / Staff Writer

Spring has sprung which means the grass is growing. But in some lawns the grass is growing a little too long for Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke.

Burke said he will be handing out warnings to residents of Corbin to cut their lawns in the upcoming days and weeks. City ordinance says that grass has to be kept under 10 inches.

“By this time of the year people should have cut their lawns at the very least once. I’ll be going out soon to warn those people with long grass that it needs to be cut. After the second warning there will be some steep fines,” Burke said.

Burke says he tries to be accommodating with people who are physically unable to mow lawns, or don’t have the financial means to upkeep their lawn, but after two or three warnings, weeks apart, he feels there is little excuse.

“You know we have people who live out of town, and just forget. I have some of their numbers and try to remind them, but I can’t call everyone, eventually some people will have to be fined,” Burke said.

Burke says he will often mow the lawns himself, or have a city crew do the job. The cost of the city’s work and any applicable fine is then passed on to the offending homeowner.

Burke says the city is looking into using inmates to clean-up unkept properties to save money, but homeowners will still be fined. Technically Burke can place liens against any property that doesn’t meet code and is warned about the code violations. It is also within Burke’s power to foreclose on offending properties, but Burke says he would never take that much action, but reminds people that after several warnings fines will be “very steep.”

“A lot of people think that some how regulating the length of their grass is infringing on their constitutional rights as private property owners. What they don’t realize is that their property effects their neighbors — its infringing upon their neighbors’ rights. They create blight properties which brings down everyone’s property values,” Burke said.

Long grass isn’t only an eye sore, it can be a public safety issue, according to Burke. When extremely long grass is cut, it often ends up in clogging sewer systems. In the event of torrential rain clogged systems can result in flooding, causing safety concerns. Burke says that proper disposal of clippings, and a simple sweeping of sidewalks and driveways can prevent a mess from occurring.

“We’re not asking people to cut their grass everyday, just enough to keep it manageable. Everyone will be better off if they do,” Burke said.