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Notice of Public Hearing

May 10, 2004

AMENDMENTS TO THE HEALTH AND SANITATION CODE

The City of Lawrence Neighborhood Resources Department will conduct a public meeting on the proposed amendments to Chapter IX, the "Health and Sanitation" section of the City Code. The meeting will be held May 10, 2004 in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. The proposed draft ordinance is viewable via the Internet.

If you are not able to attend the meeting and wish to provide comment, you may email comments to vtorres@ci.lawrence.ks.us or mail to Neighborhood Resources Department, P.O. Box 708, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A summary of the proposed amendments are provide for your review:

  1. 9-203: The procedure for declaring and abating a health nuisance is modified to conform to changes in state statutes.
  2. 9-204: The procedures for abatement by the City of a health nuisance in the event the owner fails to do so, and the collection of the costs associated therewith are amended to reflect changes in state statutes.
  3. 9-407 and 9-408: These sections are amended to require the removal of trash receptacles within 24 hours after the collection crew departs the property.

    In Article 6, the Environmental Code, the following changes are proposed:

  4. 9-603.2: The following terms are added to the definitions section: approved driveway, driveway surface, outdoor furniture, house numbers, porch, protective treatment, trash, and trash receptacles. The definition of "abandoned motor vehicle" is expanded. The definitions of garbage and refuse are amended to agree with the definitions for these terms in Chapter 9, Article 4.
  5. 9-605: The section on enforcement standards is amended to strike the language measuring the condition of a property under investigation against the quality and appearance of properties in the neighborhood. As amended, a violation may be found regardless of the condition of surrounding properties. A uniform standard throughout the City will improve the Department's enforcement abilities.
  6. 9-606.1: The section regarding unlawful acts - exterior condition--is amended to clarify that indoor furniture may not be placed on porches, in yards or other outdoor locations. Indoor furniture that is not designed to withstand the elements deteriorates quickly when it is placed outdoors, may result in infestation, and is unsightly.


    7. A provision is added making it unlawful to leave dead or dying trees in the yard. Dead or dying trees, if not removed, may result in the dead tree falling and damaging a neighbor's property. Citizens have expressed concern about the hazards dead trees may pose.

  7. 9-606.3: This section is added to clarify that failing to conspicuously display the assigned house numbers is a violation of Article 6.
  8. 9-606.4: This section is added to describe a classification of unlawful conditions associated with trash and trash receptacles.
  9. 9-607: This section is amended to reduce the amount of time the person in violation of the Environmental Code has to repair a violation of exterior conditions from 45 days to 30 days. This change is expected to help the department determine in a timelier manner if the property owner is interested in complying with the regulations.
  10. 9-608: This amendment increases the maximum fine for a violation of the Environmental Code from $100 to $500.
  11. 9-610: This section is amended to conform to state statutes when a city removes a motor vehicle from private property.
  12. 9-613: This section is amended to permit the City to recover the costs associated with sending notices of violation to an owner or occupant for violations of the Environmental Code.