2017-19 Amending City Code Chapter 48 Nuisances

Home Browse Search

(8) "Turf grass" means commercially available cultured grass varieties, including bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass blends, commonly used in regularly mowed or manicured lawn areas. (9) "Weeds" means noxious weeds as defined and designated pursuant to the Illinois Noxious Weed Law, 505 ILCS 100 et. sea. as amended from time to time, or any volunteer plants such as but not limited to garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) or burdock (Arctium minus). The Forestry Division of the Public Works Department of the City may proscribe additional plants that are prohibited. B. LOCATION. Native Plant Landscape Areas may only be located on a lot or parcel of ground that abuts and has at least seventy-five (75) feet of frontage on Lake Decatur and must be set back not less than ten (10) feet from the side lot lines and the rear lot lines without approved native landscape growth containment barriers in place and two (2) feet from the side lot lines with approved native landscape growth containment barriers in place. Said setbacks shall not apply if said lot lines abut Lake Decatur. No Native Plant Landscape area may be located in the front yard of a property. (1) All setback areas shall be composed of regularly mowed turf grass, garden beds, trees, shrubs, mulch, wood chips, rock and/or gravel and be maintained as set forth in Section 8 of this Chapter. (2) Native Plant Landscape Areas shall be planted through transplanting or seed by human or mechanical means. Soil erosion must be controlled while the ground is bare of plant growth that is sufficient to inhibit erosion and is the sole responsibility of the owner or occupant. (3) Native Plant Landscape Areas shall not be placed within any front yard areas, drainage utility easements, road right-of-ways, or immediately adjacent to any driveway or road intersection when it would interfere with motorists' view of the street or roadway. C. MAINTENANCE. Native Plant Landscape Areas must be cut or thinned at least once annually between January 15 and April 30 to a height no greater than ten (10) inches. Thinning must be conducted under the terms and conditions set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Chief of the City Fire Department with all costs to be paid by the owner or occupant of the property and under the following conditions: (1) Authorization to conduct a prescribed burn must first be obtained from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency by obtaining an I.E.P.A Prescribed Burn Permit. (2) A City of Decatur Prescribed Burn Permit must also be obtained. (3) Both permits must be on hand during the time of the prescribed burn and be readily available for inspection upon request from any Decatur Fire Department Fire Officer or City Official. The IEPA permit shall include a copy of the prescription for the burn from a certified prescribed burn manager. The prescription shall obtain, as a minimum,the following: (a) Site description (b) Map of the area to be burned (c) Desired outcome (d) Personnel and equipment to be used on the prescribed burn (e) Training level of personnel conducting the burn