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Council moves to re-notice roughly 200 properties and clear weed hazards starting June 17
Summary
After inspections of nearly 11,900 parcels, the city presented a shrinking list of about 200 properties still out of compliance with the weed-abatement ordinance and approved re-noticing and contracted abatement, with work scheduled to begin June 17 and conclude by July 1.
The El Paso de Robles City Council voted June 2 to re-notice and move forward with contractor-led abatement on roughly 200 properties that remain out of compliance with the city's weed-abatement ordinance.
Battalion Chief and fire marshal Paul Patty told the council the city inspected about 11,900 properties this season, initially identifying 665 potential violations. Inspections and outreach have cut that list to "just under 200," Patty said, and staff recommended re-noticing the remaining properties and allowing a two-week compliance period following the notices. If property owners do not comply, an approved contractor will abate the vegetation under council direction.
Patty said the contractor is scheduled to begin work on June 17 and complete the abatement effort by June 30, with the goal of having all properties within the city abated by July 1. Patty noted city-owned properties already have been addressed and praised crews for an effective inspection cycle.
City staff emphasized the public-safety basis for the program. Patty told the council that the ordinance targets the period when green season dries to gold and becomes a fire hazard; he said this year's fuel loading makes the season a risky one. The abatement schedule and two-week notice window are structured to meet legal notice requirements and to finish work before July 4 holiday observances.
Council members asked for clarifications about appeals and whether property owners could use contractor lists supplied by the city. Patty said the city maintains a nonendorsement list of contractors that property owners may contact; if the council moves forward after the June 16 public hearing, the city contractor will proceed with abatement on properties that remain in violation.
Next steps: re-notice the roughly 200 parcels, allow two weeks for voluntary compliance, and — if necessary after the June 16 hearing — have the contractor begin abatement on June 17.
Source: presentation and discussion by Paul Patty and staff during the June 2 council meeting.
