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Neighbors urge Warren County to enforce zoning after trash complaint, say assessor valuations unfair
Summary
Residents told Warren County officials during public comment that a neighboring property has accumulated trash they believe violates the county zoning ordinance and is lowering nearby property values; neighbors said they have appealed valuations and asked for clearer enforcement and communication.
Neighbors addressed Warren County officials during the meeting’s public comment period to press for enforcement of the county zoning ordinance and to question recent property valuation increases.
Resident and property owner Mike Manuel, who said his home is north of the parcel in question at “13381 Hundred And 60 Eighth Avenue,” said he has a direct view of the property and described worsening conditions. “If it's in code, it should be pretty easy to enforce. And I think there has been proven that there is a code violation,” Manuel said. He added, “I come by almost every day and take pictures. So it is getting worse.”
Manuel said he emailed county officials on March 28 about the matter and that three recipients replied asking him to unlock the document he had submitted, which he took as an indication they had read his materials. He asked county staff and officials for an update on enforcement and said neighbors had appealed property valuations after the assessor increased valuations while nearby trash reportedly reduced perceived property value.
Another speaker yielded to Mr. Van Niewold during public comment and said the property owners planned to “appeal one more time” and asked that the county “please enforce the zoning ordinance for this property.” An unidentified council member told the residents, “Joe and Mike, if you guys stay after I’ll talk to both of you,” offering follow-up outside the meeting.
The transcript shows neighbors’ remarks occurred in public comment; the meeting record does not include a formal enforcement action or vote tied to the complaint. The only formal action recorded later in the transcript was a motion to adjourn, which passed on a roll call with Erickson, DeWitt, Arnold and McIntyre voting aye.
The residents’ comments request clearer communication from the zoning department about enforcement steps. The transcript includes an exchange in which a resident said a zoning staffer answered some questions after an earlier meeting, but Manuel said he had not received ongoing updates and sought to know the next steps for enforcement.
