Committee advances changes to forestry abatement notices for occupied and vacant parcels

Alderman Anne Schweitzer presented Board Bill 134 on Feb. 5, saying the measure clarifies how the City’s forestry division will notify owners of occupied and nonoccupied parcels, how abatement will proceed and how fines and fees will be applied. Schweitzer asked the committee for a due-pass recommendation so the bill can move to the next level of consideration.

Caitlin Smith, policy adviser to the mayor, said the mayor’s office supports the update and described it as a “small update on how notification works on occupied versus nonoccupied parcels.” Smith said forestry currently sends a single notice to vacant parcels but provides repeated notifications and extra time to abate on occupied parcels; the bill is intended to put that distinction into clearer ordinance language.

During discussion a committee member raised concerns about properties managed by the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA), saying the city’s contracted forestry schedule for LRA properties means those sites “are still getting mode as on a schedule with forestry” and arguing the city must set an example if it is going to hold private owners accountable. The sponsor replied that the bill applies to privately owned properties and that LRA properties remain on forestry’s contracted schedule, but said the bill also aims to give forestry “more teeth” to enforce abatement, including fines, so the department can better prioritize work.

Committee members consented to add multiple aldermen as cosponsors and moved the bill with a due-pass recommendation. A roll-call vote recorded ayes and the committee advanced Board Bill 134 with the requested recommendation.

The committee did not adopt additional amendments during the meeting. The next procedural step for Board Bill 134 is consideration by the full Board of Aldermen (the committee issued a due-pass recommendation).