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Economic&Community Development <br /> DATE: 8/19/2019 <br /> MEMO: No. 19-51 <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members <br /> FROM: Scot Wrighton,City Manager <br /> Raymond Lai,Director of Economic and Commumty Development <br /> Tim Dudley,Development&Revitalization Specialist <br /> SUBJECT: Ordinance Extending a Tem�orary Moratorium on the Enforcement of Chapter 48 Section 8 Weeds <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that this item be approved,extending the temporary moratorium to <br /> October 31,2019. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> On July 15,2019,via Ordinance 2019-76,City Council approved a temporary moratorium lasting until the earlier of August 28, <br /> 2019 or when City Council repeals this Ordinance on enforcement of high grass nuisances(City Code Chapter 48 Section 8 <br /> Weeds)far those properties that claimed to have authentic native landscaping or prairie grass landscaping(presumably to replace <br /> it with a new ordinance). The purpose was to give the city a reasonable period of time to research,develop,and bring to the City <br /> Council a recommended ordinance that regulates and pemuts a compromise that adds value to the urban landscape while still <br /> controlling the undesirable elements of uncontrolled prairie grass pastures. <br /> Subsequently,staff iniriated research on the subject matter and ordinances of other communities,as well as convened an ad-hoc <br /> study group with various interested organizations represented e.g. Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District,Decatur <br /> Audubon Society,Garden Club of Decatur,Richland Community College,Macon County Conservation District,and Sustain <br /> Our Natural Areas(SONA). The study group met on August 6ih and had a productive discussion on the subject matter. <br /> While staff has made good progress,additional time is needed to continue research and work on a draft ordinance based on the <br /> group discussion,prior to further discussion and feedback by the group and foiwarding a recommended ordinance to the City <br /> Council. Thus,an extension of the temporary moratorium to October 31,2019 is requested. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: Staff is not aware of any. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: An ad-hoc study goup convened by staff. <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Should the City Council have any questions,they may contact Ray Lai,at 424-2727 or e-mail <br /> rlai@decaturil.gov or Tim Dudley @ 450-2337 or email tdudley@decaturil.gov. <br /> BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATION5: None <br /> ATTACHMENTS: <br /> Description Type <br /> Ordinance nrcj hia nc� <br />