OCEOAblog: Recent Comments

Comment on Fees for Mowing Nuisance Properties

2012-01-12T17:24:35Z

Our City crew mows at $125/hr. We will send out 1 letter per year. After that, Greater than 10" will be cut automatically if reported by a citizen.

Comment on Kennels and Pets

2012-01-12T17:20:28Z

Oregon code limits to 3 adult (6months) dogs per property. More are considered a kennel and are required a Special Use Exception. GW

Comment on Code Enforcement Officer Safety and Training

2011-06-21T15:32:09Z

I recently relocated to Columbus from Georgia where I was Code Enforcement Manager in a town of 5000 people.I completed the Ga Law Enforcement Academy and was armed every day.The presence of being armed did help, but I could have done the job either way! Don't get me wrong it saved me from having to call a road officer on every incident.On the other hand walking into a zoning or enviromental meeting armed was kind of weird!

Comment on internet/sweepstake cafes

2011-03-02T16:09:36Z

We have had two (2) attempts by groups trying to open and operate similar operations. In both cases, they were caught by undercover cops giving out money prizes. This practice is against Ohio law for such establishments and all of the facilities were closed down. We had them not only in Massillon but also surrounding townships. Our undercover people watch them very closely to make sure they are following Ohio law in regard to the payouts for the winners.

Comment on internet/sweepstake cafes

2011-01-28T17:54:02Z

A similar matter is currently pending before the Environmental Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court. Specifically, State of Ohio vs. Spinner's Cafe LLC case number 2009 EVH 060499 is scheduled for trial beginning on February 7, 2011. The State is alleging that such use contrary to ORC 3767.99. The disposition of this matter may determine if such use may legally be established.

Comment on Window Signs and Real Estate Sign Regulations

2011-01-10T13:35:11Z

Our sign code (Chapter 1155) defines writing/letters on the outside of the window glass as a "Window Sign" which is limited to covering 25% of the available window surface; letters/images on the exterior walls of a building cannot exceed 15% of the wall surface.

As far as subdivision signs - they are allowed as additional signage until 95% of the units within the project are leased/sold.

Questions/comment are welcome and you can see our code by visiting "http://www.ci.springfield.oh.us/Gov/ord.htm" and clicking the appropriate code chapters.

Comment on Digital and Electronic Sign Intervals

2011-01-10T13:23:43Z

Our sign code (Chapter 1155) provides for different digital message hold times depending on sign district (originally determined using roadway size, structure density, and speed limits) and the color of the message (single versus multiple color messages) -- The quickest transition is 8 seconds and the longest is 20 seconds. There were some technical calculations used in determining an appropriate transition speed but they take way to long to explain.

Hope this helps someone.

Comment on Cleanup After Hoarder Dies

2010-12-29T18:05:23Z

In Canton,Ohio we advertise for bid on the property and the contractor who is awarded the bid has the full responsibility to remove everthing and can do whatever is left on the property.

Comment on Cleanup After Hoarder Dies

2010-12-29T16:39:27Z

We deal with these situations in the course of our demolition program in two ways.

Our primary method is to contract with local refuse haulers (we got our initial list from the Health Department and sent invitations to bid to all haulers) - We have a mandatory pre-bid walk-through of the structure and accept bids for the removal of all items not able to be removed to a regular Construction/Demolition landfill. This includes upholstered furniture, appliances, clothing, and other items of value that were abandoned by the property owner. All items (garbage, appliances, works of art, machinery, tools, toys, etc.) that are removed becomes the property of the respective hauler company and they may do whatever they wish (resale, destruction, etc.) as long as they do it on their own facility/site and it does not create a nuisance or violation of our local codes.

Our second method is to discuss with the demolition contractor the need for the demo/abandoned debris to be taken to a site that accepts this "mixed load" for us the closest facility is in Vandalia and therefore there is a subsequent increase in costs that in out experience outweighs the costs incurred using method 1.

We have had a great deal of success with this process and have seen demo costs drop because of it. There are also certain letters we send to clarify that the items left at the time the demolition process begins (for us usually a 2 week period from start to finish) are considered abandoned and will be dealt with as such.

If you/anyone have questions let me know.

Comment on Landscaping in the Right of Way

2010-10-06T18:04:20Z

Since our elected officials seem to take great pride in being an official "Tree City", we not only allow trees in the curb lawn, but encourage it. The trees must be kept trimmed to 8 ft above the side walk & 12 ft above the street. When cut down, stumps must be removed. We allow landscaping (flower beds)in the curb lawn. we do not have an ordinance against hardscapes therein, and I don't think we have any instances where that has been attempted.
Other than in the curb lawn, if we order a tree down as a nuisance, we require stump removal. If an owner takes down a tree on their own, we require stump removal in the front yard.