KINGWOOD — City court has been a busier place since Kingwood began stepping up enforcement of its junk ordinance.
The ordinance addresses uncut grass and brush, as well as trash, debris and junked cars on lots in town.
About a month ago, Councilwoman Karen Kurilko and City Clerk Michelle Whetsell developed a tracking system to follow complaints from beginning through enforcement.
One result, Mayor Jean Guillot said, is more people are getting citations because complaints aren’t falling through the cracks as the steps set out in the ordinance are followed.
Nine people were scheduled to appear before the city judge last month, and 18 have hearings set for this month.
Six of the nine last month were fined $200 and either paid or entered into a payment plan for the fine. Three failed to appear for hearings.
Council also discussed a situation it isn’t sure falls under the junk ordinance but which residents have complained about.
Mayor Jean Guillot said neighbors of a log home that’s been under construction on Seemont Drive since September 2018 want the lot cleaned up. As long as no more than six months passes without work being done, the building permit never expires.
“That particular property has looked like a construction zone for two years,” Councilman Josh Fields said. “It’s an eyesore I think for the neighbors is the biggest problem. They’re not concerned about the pace at which it’s moving. They set up a lumberyard there in the neighborhood I think is the main concern.”
City Supervisor Bruce Pyles said he has tried to contact the owner.
“I think it just needs cleaned up so it’s not an eyesore,” Guillot said. He asked Pyles to prepare a list of what needs done to the property, which will be given to the owner.
Council is also working to enforce the vacant buildings ordinance. The ordinance, passed in 2017, calls for owners of vacant buildings to pay a fee, which increases each year the structure is vacant.
They also have to maintain the structures so they do not pose a public hazard or nuisance.
The first year, 43 notices were sent out. The current list contains 17 vacant buildings. Buildings have dropped off the list as they are occupied or demolished.
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