Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 12, 1993 TAG: 9306120066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Short
Blacksburg Town Manager Ron Secrist said the police department is cracking down on citizens and business owners who violate Section 16-38 of the town code, which prohibits weeds or grass higher than 12 inches.
The man on the job is Sgt. Bruce Bradberry. On his daily patrol, Bradberry stays on the lookout for high grass. A letter is sent to all violators telling them to cut the grass - or weeds, as the case may be - within seven days.
"We're taking a very pro-active approach," he said.
If the problem isn't corrected, the town contacts a local lawn service to trim the offending terrain and the town sends the resident or business owner a bill.
Depending on the size of the lot and the weeds, the bills range from about $60 to $200, said Mary Kemp, town finance director.
Secrist said the ordinance is designed to keep Blacksburg nicely landscaped, not to be burdensome to citizens.
One of the most recent violators of the ordinance has been Gables Partnership, which owns the Gables Shopping Center on South Main Street. It has lots of company, though.
Bradberry said he may send out as many as 40 letters a week. Usually the violators don't like it one bit.
"Some people like to let their grass grow so it can be cut for hay, but they can't do that unless it's zoned agricultural," he said.
by CNB