Neighbors can ask the mayor to clear a dangerous lot

(a) If a majority of all the adult residents within a radius of five hundred feet from any boundary of, or the property owner of a property adjacent to or abutting, any occupied or unoccupied lot, in writing to the mayor requests that the lot be cleared of refuse, uncultivated undergrowth, or unsafe flora, the mayor shall investigate the complaint. If the mayor certifies that there is refuse, uncultivated undergrowth, or unsafe flora on the lot complained about to an extent that the lot poses or is likely to pose an imminent danger for fire, health, safety, property damage, or crime hazard, the mayor shall notify the owner of the lot to clear the occupied or unoccupied lot of the refuse, uncultivated undergrowth, or unsafe flora. (b) If the offending uncultivated undergrowth or unsafe flora is registered as an endangered or protected species or is listed as “exceptional” pursuant to chapter 14, article 10 of this Code, or if the owner wants to keep the offending uncultivated undergrowth or unsafe flora, the owner shall submit in writing a treatment plan for its continued safe existence to the mayor’s office, the department of public works, the arborist advisory committee, the offended property owner(s), and, if applicable, the homeowners association. The treatment plan shall be approved by the department of public works and, if applicable, the homeowners association. (c) If a building is constructed in close proximity to an existing stand of trees used for wind block, boundary markers or ornamentals, the property owner may not file a complaint under this section and may seek other legal remedies should an emergency situation arise. (d) If a person files three unsubstantiated complaints about the same refuse, uncultivated undergrowth, or unsafe flora, that person may not file a complaint for that same property, providing that property is under the same ownership at the time that the three unsubstantiated complaints were filed. (2020, ord 20-86, sec 2.) 14-151