Noxious Weeds and Parking In Front of a Stop Sign

The new Playground located at the intersection of Pearl Street and Sycamore is open. It seems to be bustling with families on a regular basis and is a very nice use of the space. I encourage everyone to take time to visit the playground.

Over the last month I have had several specific complaints regarding unmaintained properties. So to clarify I will have pasted the section below from the Ohio Basic Code which is adopted yearly by the Village, and is also supportive of the local Lynchburg Village Ordinance 2006-9. This is specific to mowing of property. As the funding, manpower and time is limited, the Village has enforced this law as a specific complaint arises. So, if there is an infraction that arises you feel is important, please report it so proper action can be taken.

93.40 KEEPING DOWN WEEDS.
(A) Any person owning or having charge of land within the municipality shall keep such property free and clear from all noxious weeds and rank vegetation and shall be required to cut all such weeds and vegetation on the lots owned or controlled by him or her at least twice in every year, once between June 1 and July 1 and once between August 1 and September 1.
(B) Noxious weeds and rank vegetation shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Any weeds such as the following:
Noxious Weeds
Apple of Peru Marestail
Buckthorn Mile-A-Minute Weed
Canada Thistle Musk Thistle
Columbus Grass Oxeye Daisy
Corncockle Palmer Amarantha
Cressleaf Groundsel Perennial Sowthistle
Curly Dock Poison Hemlock
Dodder Purple Loosestrife
Field Bindweed Quackgrass
Forage Kochia Russian Knapweed
French Weed Russian Thistle
Giant Hogweed Serrated Tussock
Hairy Whitetop (Ballcress) Shatter Cane
Hedge Bindweed Wild Carrot
Heart-podded Hoary Cress Wild Garlic
Horsenettle Wild Mustard
Johnsongrass Wild Onion
Kochia Wild Parsnip
Leafy Spurge
(2) Grapevines when growing in groups of 100 or more and not pruned, sprayed, cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years;
(O.A.C. §§ 901:5-27-06, 901:5-37-01) (Rev. 2008)
(3) Bushes of the species of tall, common, or European barberry, further known as berberis vulgaris or its horticultural varieties;
(4) Any weeds, grass, or plants, other than trees, bushes, flowers, or other ornamental plants, growing to a height exceeding 12 inches.
In addition to complaints on noxious weeds, there have been specific complaints made regarding parking. In legislation passed this year in support of the Ohio Basic Code, Section 76, Village Ordinance 2010-3 sets a parking standard throughout the entire municipality. In my interpretation at this time, its say that under normal circumstances there shouldn’t parking in the street in Clinton Heights, Glenavy or the Maple View Subdivisions. In addition to this it is important that section 76.04 is followed to prevent accidents at intersections and other areas.
§ 76.04 PARKING PROHIBITIONS.
(A) No person shall stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the provisions of this title, or while obeying the directions of a police officer or a traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) On a sidewalk, except a bicycle;
(2) In front of a public or private driveway;
(3) Within an intersection;
(4) Within ten feet of a fire hydrant;
(5) On a crosswalk;
(6) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
(7) Within 30 feet of, and upon the approach to, any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control device;
(8) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless a different length is indicated by a traffic-control device;
(9) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;
(10) Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to any fire station and, on the side of the street opposite the entrance to any fire station, within 75 feet of the entrance when it is properly posted with signs;
(11) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such standing or parking would obstruct traffic;
(12) Alongside any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(13) Upon any bridge or elevated structure upon a highway, or within a highway tunnel;
(14) At any place where signs prohibit stopping;
(15) Within one foot of another parked vehicle;
(16) On the roadway portion of a freeway, expressway, or thruway.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.68) (Rev. 2004)
The previously mentioned sections are part of the law from the Ohio Basic Code. I have only brought these to everyone’s attention due to the fact that there have been concerns brought to my attention. These sections are in there entirety, however they are only small parts of the many governing rules, regulations, and Ordinances that are enforceable. I have tried to use common sense, and enforce laws on a case by case basis. There seem to be so many regulations that could be enforced that it is overwhelming and some what ridiculous. I hope this helps clarify some basic guidelines we should follow. Please take notice of this so that we can have a safe and clean community.

Jeremy R Shaffer, Mayor.