HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) - What may be a nuisance to some could be an opportunity to others.
That appears to be the crux of an argument that was settled in Holland’s City Council Chambers last night. On an 8-1 vote, the panel approved a number of changes to the municipal nuisance ordinance, proposed by the city’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, aimed at enhancing the Neighborhoods of Choice initiative.
Under the new law, noise violations, placement of materials in the public right-of-way and the length of uncut grass are further defined and the scope of who can contact City Hall with complaints is expanded. In addition, deteriorated fences and accessory structures, along with diseased, dying or dead trees that pose a threat to the public right-of-way and/or neighboring property are now classified as nuisances.
While supporters say that the changes will assist with improving the appearance of Holland’s neighborhoods, while providing the mechanism for abating nuisances, opponents claim that only more neighborly cooperation is really needed, and that the changes are more oppressive than progressive.
