China Grove revises grass ordinance
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 13, 2012
By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE – Property owners who repeatedly allow their grass to grow higher than 12 inches will face an automatic lien on their property under an amendment approved by the town board this week.
The town already has an ordinance in place that would allow it to place a lien on the property, but it must issue multiple notices first. The revised ordinance would authorize the code enforcement officer to inform the owner of his or her habitual status and take immediate action.
The Town Council approved the changes at its Tuesday meeting.
A violation is considered habitual if it happens three times within a year. Then the lien is placed on the land and money would then be collected as unpaid taxes.
The owner would receive an annual notice via certified mail. If the owner refuses to accept the notice or if the owner cannot be found, then the notice will be posted on the property, Interim Town Manager Ken Deal said.
This has been an issue for quite some time, Deal said.
In the past, the town would send multiple notices and sometimes still never hear from the owner.
The board also received information about the CONNECT Our Future Sustainable Communities Program.
The regional planning program will address air quality issues, housing needs, energy conservation and job growth.
Program members would meet several times a year to discuss regional problems and ways to solve them.
“It’s federal grant money we can receive,” Deal said.
Centralina Council of Governments accepted the grant on behalf of its members in late 2011. The federal grant was approved in November.
The Council of Governments is asking towns to pledge support for the program.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provided $4.9 million in funding for the CONNECT program.
The CONNECT region covers 14 counties in North and South Carolina, including Rowan.
The city of Salisbury agreed to participate in the program in April.
Deal said the board didn’t have enough information and will have to delve into the grant program further.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.