Meeting ID: 816 0515 9372
Passcode: 727547
Trash Vouchers are now available. They can be picked up at the office on Wednesdays from 9-5 or call Kim at (906) 420-2911 to pick up at a different time.
Blight
ESCANABA TOWNSHIP BLIGHT PREVENTION ORDINANCE
No. 99 – 1
An ORDNINANCE to protect the Public Health and Safety, to preserve property values, through the regulations of abandoned or unusable vehicles, equipment, trash, refuse, building materials, and the maintenance of unsafe structures.
Our goal is to provide our township with an effective mean that would assist our township zoning administrator and planning commission to rid the township of occasional blight areas that could lead to a nuisance that interferes with adjoining property owners and/or from becoming a dumping ground from neighboring township residents.
We understand that not everyone has to deal with blight problems and do not feel a need for such an ordinance. However, there are a few extreme cases where an ordinance is needed.
Under the guidelines of Michigan Compiled Laws (MCH 41.181-41.187 Public Act 246 of 1945) authorizes Township Boards to adopt ordinances and regulations to secure the public health, safety, and general welfare.
The enforcement officer shall enforce the ordinance, with any recourse brought before the Escanaba Township Planning Commission. Violation of provisions of this describing the complaint and what action is necessary. All complaints from the public regarding alleged violations of this ordinance must be signed and submitted in writing to the enforcement officer.
Tables of Contents
Section 2 Storage of Junk Motor Vehicles
Section 3 Storage of Trash, Refuse, Junk, Abandoned Vehicles and Domestic Refuse
Section 6 Storage of Building Materials
Section 7 Housing Farm Animals
Section 10 Notice of Violation of Ordinance
Section 15 Effective Date and Adoption
Section 1: Purpose
To provide a clean, orderly, healthy, and attractive environment throughout Escanaba Township, thereby providing its residents a pleasant place to reside.
Section 2: Storage of Junk Motor Vehicles
It shall be unlawful for any person to store or to permit the storage or accumulation of junk motor vehicles on any private property in the Township except within a completely enclosed building, or in an area screened by natural objects, plantings, fences, or grade of the land or as not to be visible from the public roadway or adjoining property dwellings. Under no conditions are junk motor vehicles allowed in R-1 districts.
Automobiles of a classic or antique nature or vintage that are in the process of restoration or conversion as so declared by the owner in a statement to the Escanaba Township Board accompanied by a completed permit.
Section 3: Storage of Trash, Refuse, Junk, Abandoned Vehicles, and Domestic Refuse
It shall be unlawful for any person to store or permit the trash, refuse, junk, or abandoned vehicles on any private property in the Township, except within a completely enclosed building or in an area screened by natural objects, plantings, fences, or grade of land so as not to be visible from the public roadway or adjoining property dwellings.
Examples of screenings:
There shall either be a tight board fence of eight feet in height and painted to match the natural surroundings and maintained in good repair and painted or shall have a planting of evergreens at least three feet in height, when planted, with at least two rows on 12 foot centers located in rows no further apart than 4 feet, (see example below) or a screening fence at least eight at least eight feet in height, or an earthen barrier at least five feet in height.
Example of tree screening: * * * * * * *
* * * * * * 4 ‘ apart
All domestic refuse generated by a person shall be disposed of frequently enough to protect the public health. Disposal upon a person’s own land is permitted provided it does not create a hazard to health and is permitted by state or county law.
The accumulation of trash, refuse, and junk which causes or creates a health hazard, as determined by the Delta-Menominee District Health Department, shall not be permitted.
Section 4: Storage of Firewood
Wood or wood products usually used or intended to be used as property owner’s personal firewood in a residence or any accessory structure shall be permitted provided it is not visible from the public roadway or adjoining property. Full cord wood intended for firewood may remain on the premises for 90 days with an extension of 30 days upon the approval of the enforcing officer.
Section 5: Unsafe Structures
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain or vacant structure, dwelling garage, out-building, factory, shop, store, or warehouse unless it is kept securely closed, the windows kept glazed or neatly boarded up, or unless the structure is in the course of construction in accordance with a valid building permit issued by the Delta County Building Department, and unless the construction is completed within 300 days from the date the building permit is issued, with extensions of additional 90-day periods upon presentation to the reasonable time and efforts have been made to prevent entrance into the structure by unauthorized persons.
Section 6: Storage of Building Materials
It shall be unlawful for any person to store or permit the storage or accumulation of building materials on any private property, except in a completely enclosed building or where building materials are neatly piled or setback a distance of 75 feet from a public road right-a-way or in an area screened be natural objects, plantings, or grade of the land so as not to be visible from the public roadway or adjoining property dwellings, or except where such building materials are part of the stock in trade or business located in the property or improvements to the structure and such construction is completed within a reasonable time.
Section 7: Housing Farm Animals
The use of parts of motor vehicles and all types of trailers to permanently house animals and fowl in Escanaba Township shall be prohibited.
Section 8: Enforcing Officer
The ordinance shall be enforced by the designated enforcement officer, with any recourse brought before the Escanaba Township Planning Commission,
Section 9: Complaints
All complaints from the public regarding alleged violations of this Ordinance must be signed and submitted in writing to the enforcement officer, who will investigate such violations and take action as provided for within this Ordinance.
Section 10: Notice of Violation of Ordinance
The owner, if possible, or the occupant of any property upon which an accumulation or storage of trash, refuse, junk, junk motor vehicles, abandoned vehicles, domestic refuse, or building materials or an unsafe structure exists in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be contracted by a personal visit and/or letter by the enforcement officer describing the complaint and what action in necessary to remove or eliminate such factors from the property. If after 30 days of this initial contact no action has been taken, the Township will pursue through criminal and/or civil proceedings with any cost to bring the property into compliance being added to their property tax assessment.
Section 11: Savings Clause
Violation of this Ordinance shall be a misdemeanor which shall be punishable upon conviction be a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or by both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.
Section 13: Repealing Clause
All ordinance or parts of ordinance in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 14: Definitions
The following words or terms shall have the meaning below:
(a) “Abandoned vehicle” shall include, without limitation, any vehicle which has remained on private property for a period of 48 continuous hours, or more, without the consent of the owner or occupant of the property, or for a period of 48 continuous hours or more after the consent of the owner or occupant of the property has been revoked.
(b) “Building Materials” shall include, without limitation, lumber, brick, concrete, or cinder blocks, plumbing materials, electrical wiring or equipment, heating ducts or equipment, shingles, mortar, concrete, or cement, nails, screw, or any other materials used in constructing any structure.
(c) “Domestic Refuse” shall include rejected food wastes, including waste accumulation of animals, fruit or vegetable matter, used or intended for food or that attends the preparation, use, cooking, dealing in, or storing or meat, fish, fowl, fruit, or vegetable. Compost piles are exempt from this definition.
(d) “Junk” shall include without limitation, parts of machinery, or motor vehicles, equipment totally inoperable or irreparable, broken and unusable furniture, stoves, refrigerators or other appliances, metal or any other cast-off material of any kind, whether or not they could be put to any reasonable use and remnants or wood. Remnants of wood shall not include wood or wood products usually used or intended to be used as firewood in a residence or any accessory structure.
(e) “Junk Motor Vehicle” shall be:
(a) any motor vehicle that is not in operating condition nor meeting the minimum requirements of the Michigan Vehicle Code Act 300 of 1939, being, but not limited to, four wheels with inflated tires, a working battery, an engine in running condition, and gear train capable of moving the vehicles at any time
(b) any motor vehicle which is not licensed for use upon the highways of the State of Michigan for a period in excess of 60 days; provided that there is excepted from this definition unlicensed, but operative vehicles which are used for snowplowing or farm equipment.
(c) Any motorized vehicles that are kept as the stock in trade of a regularly licensed and established new or used automobile dealer or other motorized vehicles; or
(d) Any motor vehicles that is inoperable due to mechanical failure provided that the time limit such vehicles may remain upon the premises shall be a period of 120 days with extension of additional 30-day periods upon presentation to the enforcing officer of written proof the offending vehicle is involved in insurance claims litigation or similar matter and additional time is required for settlement before a vehicle can be moved.
(f) “Person” shall include any individual, proprietorship, firm, public or private corporation, partnership, trust, public or private agency or any other entity, or any group of such persons.
(g) “Trash” and “Refuse” shall include any and all forms of debris not otherwise classified.
(h) “Utility Value” a term used by the insurance industry to describe: That a structure is insurable.
(i) “Unsafe Structure” shall include, without limitation, any dwelling, garage, or outbuilding, or any factory, shop, store, office building, warehouse or any other structure or part of a structure which, because of fire, wind, or other natural disaster, or physical deterioration, is no longer habitable as a dwelling, or useful for the purpose for which it may have been intended, which no longer has utility value an proof of insurance.
Section 15: Effective Date and Adoption
This ordinance, being necessary to protect the public health and welfare, shall become effective 45 days after its publication in the Escanaba Daily Press.