The Lansing Code of Compliance Office asserted Wednesday at the Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting that the neighborhood of Glenburne, located off of Waverly Road, could be charged an additional $7,000 assessment for the removal of trash and debris in their commons area.

 

The property was originally assessed in 2003 for $4,500 for lawn maintenance. The price has since increased due to complaints from the company hired to mow the grass that they cannot maneuver around the accumulation of trash, vehicles, car parts, and grass clippings in the commons area.

 

Originally created as a green space by the developer of Glenburne, the commons area has become increasingly overgrown due to the lack of a neighborhood or homeowners association.

 

The Lansing ordinance regarding proper lawn management states that the city, at the cost of the resident, has the right to appropriate a lawn service to any property that allows their grass to grow above 8 inches.

 

Eric Hewitt, councilmember for Lansing’s 1^st Ward, asserted that because the refuse being discarded within the Glenburne Commons cannot be attributed to any outside source, it is the neighborhood’s responsibility to clean it up.

 

In order to relinquish this responsibility, the neighborhood of Glenburne could either create a neighborhood association or hire a different company to clean and mow the commons or deed the property over to the city.

 

If Glenburne decides to manage the commons area through an association, the property will cost each of the 317 households $41. Not all of the homes are located near the commons area, however, making the acquisition of funding from all residents difficult.

 

If the community wishes to deed the property to the city, there is a chance the city could sell the property for commercial purposes without the consent of the neighborhood of Glenburne.

 

The issue will be brought to the city council April 28 and a public hearing will ensue May 5. If the special assessment passes, the neighborhood of Glenburne will be responsible for paying the tax of $41 per parcel by the first of November.