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Clarkston council agrees to draft enforcement letters after multiple nuisance complaints
Summary
Council members reviewed anonymous nuisance complaints about two Clarkston properties, discussed existing municipal nuisance code and state authority to recoup abatement costs, and directed staff to draft a notification letter for council approval at the next meeting.
Council members discussed multiple citizen complaints about two properties—one on 300 South (the Bailey home) and a second across from the Godfrey residence—describing overgrown yards, inoperable vehicles, snowmobiles, trailers and scattered debris.
Mayor Hidalgo told the council he had discussed enforcement options with the town attorney, noting, “he says if needs be, we can give them 1 of the options we'll give them is we'll clean it up and they will pay the town for doing it. And if we fail to collect from them, then we will attach it to their property tax from that point.” Mayor Hidalgo said the state has provided municipalities with additional enforcement leverage.
Councilmembers examined relevant code sections on-screen during the meeting. A staff member identified the nuisance definition location as "4 2 5" (presented in the meeting as the municipal code section covering nuisance definitions). Councilmember Peterson and others emphasized the difficulty and community sensitivity of enforcement, with one councilmember noting the process is often unpleasant for complainants and the property owners.
Council direction: the council asked staff to compile a draft letter that would clearly list the cited violations, outline a compliance timeframe and explain potential consequences for noncompliance; the letter will be returned to the council for approval at the next meeting. Several councilmembers said they would visit the properties before the next meeting to verify current conditions and provide informed recommendations.
The council did not authorize abatement or set specific compliance deadlines during the meeting; members agreed to continue the matter at the next scheduled meeting after staff prepares the notice and members have inspected the properties.
