Council defers adoption of International Property Maintenance Code to address repeat‑offender language and grass height

The Lewisburg City Council voted on Sept. 9 to defer Ordinance 25‑11, which would adopt the International Property Maintenance Code and replace Chapter 13 of the municipal code, until the November council meeting.
City staff and public works raised concerns about how the draft ordinance addressed grass‑height enforcement and the process for repeat offenders. During discussion, staff asked for additional language clarifying enforcement procedures and penalties for repeat violations so the city can apply consistent enforcement and address public works’ operational concerns.
Councilmembers agreed to withdraw a motion to approve and instead moved to defer the ordinance to allow staff to revise the text and include repeat‑offender provisions. The motion to defer passed by roll call; the ordinance will return to council for further consideration at the November meeting.
Context and next steps: staff said the deferral will allow time to incorporate public‑works input and to craft clearer enforcement language for repeat violators. Councilmembers noted that prior amendments intended to add repeat‑offender language had been left out of the draft and should be included before adoption.