Council advances ordinance to require 72‑hour placement window for vegetative waste

The Town of Lake Clarke Shores advanced Ordinance 2603 on first reading Tuesday, proposing to amend Chapter 46 of the town code to require vegetative waste and yard trash be placed for collection no earlier than 72 hours before scheduled pickup.

Staff said the change responds to recurring issues about vegetation piles on streets and follows a review of neighboring municipalities' practices. The ordinance text presented on first reading provides that vegetative waste shall not be placed earlier than 72 hours prior to collection, carries size and weight limits for collection by the town’s contracted bulk hauler, and includes standard severability and effective‑date clauses.

Councilors debated practical enforcement questions and community patterns. Vice Mayor Gregory Freebold and other members noted that landscapers often leave piles during weekdays and urged better education and clearer guidance for residents and contractors. "I'm all for the 72 hours," a council member said, citing the town's desire to strike a balance between homeowner convenience and keeping debris off streets.

Staff noted existing contractual limitations with the hauler (size/diameter/weight limits) and that enforcement typically consists of tagging large piles; the hauler sometimes returns to pick up tagged piles later. Council members also discussed hurricane‑season exceptions, the benefit of single‑day collection schedules for uniformity, and the need for additional resident outreach if the town adopts the new timing.

The council voted to accept the ordinance first reading and scheduled advertisement for the required second reading in a future meeting; no final adoption occurred on Tuesday.