The Board of Public Works approved Title 6 abatements for three properties in Bloomington on Aug. 12, authorizing city crews to mow and remove accumulated trash after repeated code citations.

The action affects 520 South Westwood Drive, 623 West Smith Avenue and 720 South Westwood Drive. Mike Arnold of Housing and Neighborhood Development told the board each property had been cited multiple times before the board vote. "This is a property with excessive growth that we've cited on 4 separate occasions beginning on May 30, ending on July 21. It's the backyard of the property. It hasn't been mowed, and we're requesting permission to abate the property," Arnold said about 520 South Westwood Drive.

Why it matters: Title 6 abatements are the city's enforcement step when owners fail to address nuisances such as overgrown lots or large accumulations of trash. Abatement allows the city to perform the work and assess costs to the property owner under Bloomington's municipal code.

Details on each parcel: Arnold described 623 West Smith Avenue as having "accumulation of garbage and trash and scattered litter," with the first citation on June 24 and a fourth citation on July 18. For 720 South Westwood Drive, Arnold said the property previously had an abatement for excessive growth and that the current request covers "accumulation of trash, which is a mattress and some furniture and some brush pile," cited July 9 and July 18.

The board moved and approved all three abatements by roll call. The recorded votes were in favor from Roach and Board Vice President Elizabeth Carone; the motions passed.

The board did not note any public opposition on Zoom or in person during the items. The abatement approvals permit city crews to proceed with removal and subsequent billing or assessment as provided by local code.