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Franklin panel weighs changes to weed-and-grass code, considers milkweed exemption and managed-meadow options
Summary
Village staff presented a review of Franklin's weed-and-grass ordinance, highlighting an 8-inch limit, enforcement steps including a 10-day notice and a 20% administrative fee, and recommended removing outdated language and adding a milkweed exception; commissioners asked staff to refine definitions and return with sample language.
Franklin planning commissioners on July 15 reviewed proposed changes to the village's weed-and-grass growth control ordinance after a staff memo comparing Franklin's rules with eight neighboring communities.
Chris, the staff author of the review, told the commission that Franklin's Chapter 14-79 requires grass and weeds not exceed 8 inches in specified areas and that enforcement starts with a certified letter giving a property owner 10 days to comply. "If they don't, the village can hire a contractor to do it, put a lien on the property, and have a 20% administrative fee," Chris said.
Chris urged several definitional clarifications and edits: remove the word "exotic" from the ordinance's invasive-plant language, reconcile the village's more-restrictive rule that prohibits noxious weeds from flowering (the state act bars seed set), and add a 2025 state change that treats milkweed differently. "The state act was revised in 2025, to note that milkweed is not considered a noxious weed, so we should add that to our ordinance," Chris said.
Commissioners raised neighborhood- and lot-size concerns, including whether the rule's application only "within a platted subdivision or single-family condominium, or within 100 feet of a public street" left large lots effectively exempt. One commissioner said many Franklin lots are wooded and argued that naturally landscaped areas should be treated differently.
Members also discussed environmental options such as No Mow May and managed meadows to support pollinators. "If the pollinators specifically need 12 inches, I'm not against it," one commissioner said, while others worried that a uniform 12-inch rule would look out of step in some neighborhoods.
The commission asked staff to gather demand-side data and examples before making final recommendations. Vice chair asked Evan to report how many lawn-maintenance complaints the village has received: "So I can get that for you," a member of staff said, estimating the number is likely "under 5." Commissioners asked for photographic examples and for Chris to return next month with revised language and a narrower list of initial changes to consider.
Next steps: staff will prepare revised ordinance language addressing definitions, the milkweed exception, the 18-inch natural-landscape provision and the 2-foot-from-property-line language, and will provide complaint-count data and sample photos for the commission's next meeting.
