Millville P&Z clarifies landscaping responsibilities of property owners

By Jessica Allen

February 13, 2009 | MILLVILLE ­ The Planning Commission discussed sign ordinances and landscape maintenance and fencing ordinances Thursday.

After approving the agenda and minutes from a meeting held Jan. 22, the commission discussed landscaping and whether or not citizens are responsible for taking care of the landscape by roads that are part of the city right of ways.

It was decided that all people are responsible for taking care the landscape in front of residences, not pastures or fields.

The fencing ordinance was changed to allow fences that did not obstruct view like a chain link fence and could not be higher than 36 inches, a public hearing will be held to discuss these changes.

It was also put on the table regarding signs and sign violations and what would be done about them.

Those people who do not follow the ordinances regarding signs after being warned will have their sign taken down by the city and will be forced to pay for what it will cost.

"We don't want our residential areas becoming commercial areas," Jim Hart said but also thought that the city needed to be "more business friendly. They bring revenue to the city."

Housing of Animals ordinance was discussed and decided that a permit was not needed for any building that was under 200 sq. foot unless it had running water and lighting.

A-frames were struck from being prohibited from the ordinance as well as portable mobile signs, like those on the sides of vans.

Agenda items to discuss group living facilities and conditional use ordinance were moved to the next meeting.

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