MAHONING COUNTY Rules under review

A public hearing will be scheduled on the property ordinance.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Planned changes to a village ordinance dealing with exterior property and accessory structures will not be put into effect -- yet.
Council took no action on the ordinance Tuesday. The proposed ordinance will instead be sent back to the planning commission for review and possible revision.
The current ordinance, summed up in two paragraphs, says all exterior property areas must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of trash or junk. It also says the areas must be free from health, fire and accident hazards and from conditions that might create a nuisance.
Councilman Joe Mazur said the ordinance, as written, is not specific. He said the vague wording in the ordinance has led to several "suspect" properties in the village with exterior areas not aesthetically pleasing.
Zoning Administrator Dick Ames said one piece of property in particular is full of debris, high grass and weeds to a point where adjacent property owners are beginning to complain. He said the new ordinance should take care of the situation and any others like it in the village.
Terms of measure
The new ordinance, not yet voted on by council, says no residents can allow their properties to fall into a state that debases or deteriorates the appearance of their neighborhoods, reduces property value or alters the appearance and character of the neighborhoods. The proposed ordinance also addresses health and fire safety issues.
The ordinance spells out eight exterior property conditions deemed unacceptable. Those conditions include broken fences, old appliances, rugs and rags being hung on lines, old furniture, unkempt lawns and landscaping, unkempt drainage swales, grass and brush more than 4 inches high, and materials such as earth, grass and dirt -- including that used for gardening -- left standing on property for more than one month.
Village resident Ralph Mentzer said he and other village gardeners take issue with the part of the proposed ordinance addressing gardening dirt on exterior property. He said the ordinance could make it difficult for those village residents who spend time gardening and need the materials on hand.
Mentzer asked council to reconsider that section of the ordinance.
"I just want to protect the local gardeners," he said. "Many of us are elderly. We spend a lot of time in our gardens, and we need the materials."
Council, the planning commission and village residents will have time to consider the entire proposed ordinance. The ordinance has been sent back to the planning commission, which may make changes before sending the measure back to council.
Mazur said council plans to hold a public hearing before acting on the new ordinance.
jgoodwin@vindy.com