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Next week, the Charlotte Court House Town Council will take on an issue residents have asked about for a while. A public hearing has been set for Tuesday, April 22 to hear questions and take concerns about the proposed nuisance ordinance.

The proposed ordinance establishes regulations for addressing and mitigating public nuisances within Charlotte Court House by outlining the responsibilities of property owners and granting authority to the town to force the removal of nuisances. Nuisance is defined broadly, as covering conditions that are unsightly or threaten public health, safety, and property values. It would grant the town the ability to hold parties responsible for removing nuisances, or, in extreme cases, the town would remove them and request compensation.

“Citizens have expressed concern and the town council has observed places in town with high grass and weeds, abandoned cars, and dangerous buildings,” says Sara Crawford. She serves as town manager for Charlotte Court House. Crawford said the council hopes the ordinance will benefit residents by creating a culture of standards that address these issues.

Per the available draft of the ordinance on the town website, Charlotte Court House would be empowered to take legal action to remove nuisances. The town could remove it without prior notice if a nuisance threatens immediate danger. 

Breaking down the categories

The ordinance addresses three categories considered nuisances. First is unattended trash, clutter, and overgrown vegetation like weeds and grass. Vegetation must be kept below 12 inches; for undeveloped land, maintenance is required within 25 feet of the street. 

The second category refers to inoperable motor vehicles, requiring them to be stored indoors or out of view of the public. An inoperable vehicle is a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer that cannot run, is missing vital machinery, or lacks valid plates or inspections. 

Should the ordinance pass, the town will notify residents of violations regarding both categories, issue fines for non-compliance, and reserves the right to remove or dispose of inoperable vehicles. After providing notice, the cost of removal and unpaid charges for violations become a lien on the property.

Lastly, the town recognizes dangerous buildings–structures that threaten public safety, are fire hazards, or are accessible to unauthorized individuals–as nuisances. Should a notice be issued by the town and left unaddressed, the town may repair, secure, or demolish the building and recoup the cost from the property owner via property lien. There are exceptions for buildings with historical designation.

In the case of all violations, unpaid costs accumulated by the town on behalf of property owners can be collected as taxes. Penalties and fines will escalate with repetition but cap at $3,000 annually for residential violations and $6,000 for commercial and industrial properties.

What’s next for Charlotte Court House?

The first step in passing this ordinance is holding a community meeting to receive citizen input and review questions. Afterward, they will have a public hearing, where citizens may air their comments once again before the final vote.

“The town council has identified a need for a nuisance ordinance and is very interested in receiving citizen input,” says Crawford. “Council members will carefully consider all public comments before voting on the ordinance.”

Public input is crucial for the implementation of this ordinance. This proposition is undergoing review by council members who plan to issue a final draft of the ordinance after the community meeting at the end of April.

The meeting on Tuesday, April 22, is an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and share concerns before a public hearing is scheduled and the final draft proposed. The town council, consisting of seven members, including the mayor, will need a majority vote to pass the ordinance. Currently, there is no deadline for approval or expected date for implementation. 

To learn more about the proposal and to read the drafted nuisance ordinance, visit towncch.com.

Editor’s note: Essie Somma wrote this for the Charlotte Gazette.