1/29/09

Abandoned cars will attract fines

Carmell Emory

The City of Marysville has taken a stand against unsightly neighborhoods.

At its January 26 meeting, the Marysville City Council passed an ordinance that will amend the enforcement and nuisance regulations of the city's municipal code. The amending codes primarily affect unused or immobile automobiles, vegetation length, recreational vehicles and the screening of these objects.

The council has worked these past two weeks to revise the language of the ordinance to minimize the impact to citizen's private property rights. In discussions before the vote was taken, members expressed confidence that the modified language would satisfy property owners and residents.

An example of the language that is used for vehicles is "Non-operational or unused automobile or parts thereof, or other articles of personal property which are discarded or left in a state of partial construction or repair for longer than 30 days, in any front yard, side yard, rear yard or vacant lot [must be] screened from public view..."

The enforcement of the ordinance will be based on written citizen complaints, which will then be mailed to the property owner from the city. The complainant can request a hearing within 60 days of filing the complaint, which will follow ten days later. If the director feels that action has not been taken to improve conditions addressed by the ordinance, penalties will be issued. First violation penalties range from $150 to $500 and second violations may see fines from $300 to $1000.

Community Development Director Gloria Hirashima is hoping that the enforcement of these new regulations will end at the first complaint. "We are trying to balance stricter rules within the community and increase the standards for property maintenance," said Hirashima.

To view the ordinance, its amendments, and definitions of terms in their entirety, visit Marysville's Municipal Code link at http://www.codepublishing.com/wa/marysville/.

 

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