Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Man sentenced in burglary, assault case ... Cooking oil fire damages SOU-owned house, displaces two ... Black Bear Diner on lockdown while police investigate a possible shooting at Best Western ... Man sentenced in burglary, assault case ... Cooking oil fire damages SOU-owned house, displaces two ... Black Bear Diner on lockdown while police investigate a possible shooting at Best Western ... FIRE HAZARD Talent will clear weeds in rights of way Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News TALENT — City crews will clear weeds in unimproved rights of way even though city policy makes that a landowner duty. City officials say the new procedure will help ensure the rapid removal of flammable materials during fire season while the city considers changing its policy. Last fire season, some attempts to get landowners to perform the work dragged into September because of the volume of cases, said Zac Moody, community development director. His department handles code enforcement. “We’re trying to just really educate the public on the purpose of what we are doing,” Moody said. “Urban wildfire happens all the time. It just takes a small fire in a wind storm.” A city ordinance that weeds and brush not exceed 10 inches in height went into effect May 15. Already, the city has mailed about 75 notices to property owners who are in violation either on their land or in the right of way. Moody said up to another 125 notices could be sent after the code enforcement officer completes his inspection. The Flash, the city’s newsletter, had notices of the requirement in the March and April issues. Notices were also sent out with water bills. Property owners who have curbs, gutters, sidewalks or park rows in rights of way in front of their property will still be required to keep them clear, but areas lacking those features will be treated by city crews where owners doesn’t maintain them. “Most people don’t agree that (the right of way) is their responsibility,” Moody said. “The whole goal is to make sure fire on your property isn’t going to cause other people harm.” A first notice requires correction within 10 days. If not fixed, the city usually sends a second notice with another 10-day requirement. If that’s not followed, there’s a 20-day period before a violation citation can be issued. City crews can cut areas and bill the property owners, but that was only done a couple times last year for absentee landowners, Moody said. Up to $2,000 was spent on the enforcement notification process last year. Crews can clear rights of way in need of work for an estimated $ 5,000 to $6,000 and there’s money in the budged to cover the expense, City Manager Tom Corrigan said. Current regulations that require landowners to clear what is city property put the city at liability, Corrigan said. A couple years ago, a claim was filed against the city for damage to a lawnmower that was used in the right of way. The claim was turned over to the city’s insurer, and Corrigan did not know the outcome. A lot of the work is just talking with homeowners, Corrigan said. In some cases, carefully maintained landscapes have been established in the rights of way. “Some folks are very detailed about their property,” said Corrigan. “We are just not going to go in. We’ll review with the homeowners as we go along.” Spraying to reduce hazards has been done in the past. “We’ll assess each situation,” said Corrigan. “There are actually home owners that spray. It’s a time-saving element.” Clearing rights of way for children going to schools, especially in areas without curbs, gutters and sidewalks, is critical, Corrigan said. City crews recently removed brush and trees that obscured two school zone signs in a right of way. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501