Yes please get this cleaned up! It's an eyesore!

How about actually doing something about this eyesore instead of asking me every 30 days if I want to close it?

I agree .

The City is attempting to make progress with the homeowner.

Thanks David, but I would think the City would have a bit more clout than just "attempting". This house has been empty and in this condition at least since 2010.

I wish we did too. The last attempt resulted in a judge telling us that we didn't have a case.

What year was that ?

I don't have that information.

My nephew lives on Caulder Ct, and was building a deck in the back, and had leftover lumber sitting in his driveway. Someone complained about it and the weeds growing in the driveway as well. He received a notice that he was in violation of the city ordinance and if not cleaned up, he would be levied a $500 fine for the limber and a $25 fine for the weeds for the 1st offense, and that would double for every additional offense in the future.

The 1st picture is the view of 55 Tower from March 2015 as I walk out my back door. The 2nd pic is the same area showing the weeds and bushes that have overwhelmed her back yard. The 3rd pic is the weeds growing in her driveway, and the 4th pic is showing the height of those weeds next to a 3’ yardstick. Are these weeds at the same violation level as my nephews weeds were earlier this year?

Has anyone from the blight enforcement task force actually driven to 55 Tower Dr and inspected the property for violations? Or does the city only go after properties that they know will comply when given a violation summons?

The link will not let me upload more than one photo. So, the first one is actually the 4th pic and I will upload each one individually. Thanks.

This is #1

Pic #2

Pic #3

Pic #4

Not only is it unsightly, that mess will eventually attract rodents and other vermin... It will be a bigger problem than it already is.

Why doesn't the city have a code enforcement officer ?, there is definitely a growing problem.

I'm under the impression that Saline should already have someone in charge of identifying code violations and addressing those issues - but it seems there is some reluctance for whatever reason to address certain ones that are identified.

There are nearly 70 names listed on the City Staff Directory, plus other city employees not listed. I would think someone could take a couple minutes out of their busy day and drive to 55 Tower Dr and access whether this residence, within the city limits, is in violation of city codes, and recommend whether or not a citation is in order.

I agree code ordinances should not be selectively enforced.

The owner of the property located at 55 Tower has been issued a notice of violation. The property owner has until August 14th to bring the property into compliance. If the property is not brought into compliance by the deadline, the City will take the appropriate next steps so the property is brought into compliance. Very best, Todd J. Campbell, City Manager

Thank you Todd.

The owner at 55 Tower Dr came in yesterday and mowed the lawn. It appears she mowed the front rows of weeds in the driveway but the side and rear of the driveway in front of the garage are still over 2' tall. The back yard still looks like a Vietnam jungle. I hope she does not think that she has fulfilled the blight obligations as the place still looks like a dump.

I don't expect to see a Green Thumb Award nominee sign in her front yard anytime soon

Another pic up closer.

Today is August 11th, the owner has until the 14th to be in compliance with the citation. She did mow the weeds in the front half of the driveway. The weeds in front of the garage at the rear of the driveway is still a couple feet tall. The weeds on the west side of the driveway look bad, the front of the house looks bad, the west side of the house looks bad, the back yard - the view I have from my side door entrance - looks like crap.

Seems like there's a lot of work to do in the next 3 days.

Don't hold your breath.

6pm on the 12th, (today) and someone is there cutting grass!

I saw that as well, but the front, west side, and rear still looks like the haunted house in the Adams Family tv show.. You can put lipstick on a pig, but when you're done it's still a pig!

The 14th has come and gone, and the weeds in the driveway have been cleaned up, but the front, left side, and rear of the house is still overwhelmed with brush. I hope the city does not feel the owner has fulfilled the obligation of the notice of violation.

It appear the city just passes ordinances, they may enforce them. Not enough working employees, and they are busy .

The city of Saline does take in $16-$17 million dollars a year in revenue, I would think there would be a few dollars available to uphold our city's ordinances and the well being and looks of our community in an effort to attract future home owners and businesses to our city.

I'm retired so for a reasonable wage (no medical insurance needed), I can go around inside the city limits and review complaints and recommend solutions - but that would require that the city is truly engaged about the blight issue and the SeeClickFix program to resolve these issues and not merely lip service.

It appears your comment now don't even deserve a reply from the city.

The Building Inspector came by today and he took some pictures of the front, west side, and back yard. We had a nice chat but he's not sure what codes the city has as far as "overgrowth" - which this place surely has it's share, but "blight" would seem to cover about most anything. We'll see what happens . . .

The owner did clear out the weeds but the property still looks like a dump - not what a resident in a nice area of Saline should have to put up with.

Now what ?

Now, What is suppose to happen ?

After 151 days, the outer perimeter of the dwelling still looks like crap. She did mow the weeds one time when notified but I wonder if she knows the 7" height must be "maintained" and not just a one time exercise.

And the bush that is starting to overwhelm the backside of the house - that I get to look at when I walk out my back door - seems to just get bigger and bigger . . .

This is uncalled for. Call the Mayor and council. Maybe they will give you a different excuse.

It appears to be becoming a health hazard and a harbor for rats and other animals and snakes that like a undisturbed tall grass area. Maybe the Health Depth. Should be called.

Someone must have contacted the owner of 55 Tower Dr because she and another person trimmed the unsightly bush in the back yard, cut down a few limbs in back and even blew the leaves in the front yard out to the curb.

I'll let this response post and then close the issue in a few days. However, I'm confident that I'll have to reopen this same issue in the spring - the property needs to change hands so someone can restore the dwelling to an acceptable level within our neighborhood.

This is a ABANDONED house and has been for years. It also appears to be a unsafe house next to Liberty school, with I think some special needs children. It is time to take some Action.

I'll wait until I get my next 30 day notice on this and I will close the issue, but I'm sure it will get activated next year.

It's ironic though, that someone complained about the Christmas decorations at 176 Wallace St that were also on the extension between the sidewalk and the street, and the owner had to remove them. I would have thought resolving the ugliness and nuisance look of 55 Tower Dr on behalf of the nearby residents, would have received more attention than someone celebrating the spirit of Christmas.

I'll close this for now but I'm confident I'll have to resurrect it next year. It sure would be nice if I didn't have to look at this rotting, mildew window shade every time I walk down my driveway.

Closed for now . . .