Frankenmuth

7 Every City has community standards – some are written and adopted by the City Council and some are learned behavior. For example, in Frankenmuth many people plant annual flowers in the spring and water their lawns which is not a City standard, but a community standard instilled by pride. The City adopts standards related to long grass, storage of recreational vehicles and maintenance of homes. These are violations to either the City of Frankenmuth zoning ordinance or the International Property Maintenance Code, adopted by the City of Frankenmuth. When the City enforces these rules, we consider it "code enforcement." In the past, the City of Frankenmuth has operated its code enforcement on a complaint basis, meaning the City would not actively drive the City and look for violations. Instead, we received complaints via email, phone call, etc., and would perform an inspection. While allowing complaints to drive code enforcement can reduce staff time, staff at the City did not find it equitable. After further discussion with City Council, Council has recommended to pursue a more proactive approach to code enforcement procedures. As we start the new year, the City of Frankenmuth will be proactively monitoring frequent violations including excessive grass growth, storage of recreational vehicles (including boats and trailers) and sign displays between the sidewalk and street right of way. What are the rules? The City has all of its zoning rules and code enforcement information on its website, frankenmuthcity.com. The most frequent violations and the City's standards, are listed below. "Temporary, outside storage of a vehicle for no more than a maximum of seven (7) continuous days, or twenty-one (21) cumulative days per calendar year." "Developed Property. No person owning any developed property shall permit or maintain on any such premises any growth of noxious weeds; nor any growth of grass or other rank vegetation to a greater height than six (6) inches on the average; nor any accumulation of miscellaneous debris on any developed property." "No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at the intersection of any streets or other public ways; no free- standing sign shall be erected within thirty (30) feet of the intersection of any street right-of-way lines without prior approval of the Zoning Administrator after consultation with the City Manager and Chief of Police." "The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare." What happens if you have a violation? After City staff observes a violation, they will write a letter providing information on the rules and a request to remedy the violation. The City understands there is no nice way to share with a resident that what they are doing is not in compliance with community standards so we try to be a clear as possible. All the letters sent from the City encourage residents to contact the City. The overall purpose of the letters and code enforcement are not to punish people, but to uphold the community standards which can only be done with the help of the residents. Maintaining Community Pride in Frankenmuth By Stephen Zampardo, City Planner, City of Frankenmuth Have a Concern? Have a Concern?

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