Beautiful Landscaping Could Be Ruled As Blight

IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, August 02, 2008 - This home on the corner of North Suffolk and Arch Streets has a beautifully landscaped front and side yard. The stone walls; the water fountain and the wide variety of plants, bushes, trees and flowers combine to make a very attractive statement. The look is clean, unique and very nice.

However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and according to the City of Ironwood's Blight Ordinance , some could argue that the landscaping in this yard is a violation. According to the ordinance...

Sec. 17-46. Dense, noxious growth prohibited. No owner of any parcel of land within any residential, commercial or industrial zoning district of the city or the agent of such owner shall permit on such parcel of land or upon that portion of any street or alley adjacent to the parcel of land, between the property line and the curb or traveled portion of such street or alley, any growth of weeds, grass or other rank vegetation to a greater height than eight(8) inches, on the average, or any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush. No such owner or agent shall permit on such land any poison ivy, ragweed or any other poisonous, noxious or unhealthful growths.

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, "rank" can be interpreted to mean "luxuriantly or excessively vigorous in growth." Obviously the landscaping in the yard picutred above is growing "luxuriantly" and several of the plantings are in excess of eight inches.

To view the entire Ironwood Blight Ordinance [CLICK HERE].