Grass Over 12″ Violates City Beautification Ordinance, Can Face Citations

Tall grass isn’t too much of an issue so far this year for the citizens of Mena, according to Beautification Ordinance Officer, Tammy Stockton. Each year, Stockton makes sure that citizens are keeping their yards not only mowed to under 12 inches, but junk free and looking nice.

The Beautification Ordinance says: “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association of persons, owners, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved within corporate limits of the City of Mena, to suffer or permit any of the following conditions: A. Grass, weeds, or any other plant that is not cultivated, to grow to a height greater than 1 foot (12 inches), from grade… This requirement shall not apply to any portion of any property that is more than one hundred fifty feet from any developed lot.”

“Yards aren’t as bad as a month ago,” said Stockton. She has written many warnings this year, but so far only four citations have been issued. Stockton explained that they begin with courtesy cards first reminding citizens of the ordinance and has mailed 40-45 of those. The cards asked citizens to comply within the next 7-14 days and for the most part, they have.

Stockton said they also mailed flyers this year and dropped some at doorsteps where there were brush issues or trees that need to be trimmed back. Those flyers also alerted citizens to the annual spring clean-up effort of the City. “People took advantage of the city wide clean-up and there more loads taken than ever before,” Stockton said.

She also wants to remind the public that there will be a fall clean up coming soon, however it is for brush only.

The City also asks that when citizens mow, that they also please mow the easement ways into the ditches or flats out to the road. “There is a lot to keep up with and we would very much appreciate it if they would help us keep those areas clean as well.”

Stockton has spent much of her time spraying weeds in ditches to help with waterflow and such. “Now that the rains have let up a little bit, it will help us. I have seen snakes in some of the overgrown culverts and ditches. Keeping those cleaned up will help keep the critters down,” Stockton explained.

Overall, Stockton is happy with the progress seen around town in compliance with the Beautification Ordinance. “It’s getting better year after year. We are definitely on the uphill swing of things and are happy with people getting their stuff done,” she said.

Citizens are encouraged to let the City know of any areas that need work such as trees blocking street signs, un-mowed areas, etc. Tammy Stockton can be reached at 394-7436 or 394-8305.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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