City Council voting to make grass over 6" illegal on Monday, June 18th.

[Ryan Sinn]

If this is our highest priority in this city, the council really has problems.

Contact the Council

Mayor 
Cindy Hansen
763-482-2834
Cha...@slpmn.org

Council Member
Jeanne Mason
763-784-2672
JMa...@slpmn.org

Council Member
Barbara Carlson
763-784-7881
BCar...@slpmn.org

Council Member
Dale Dahl
763-784-6353
DD...@slpmn.org 

Council Member
Bill Nash
763-717-1775
bn...@slpmn.org 

http://abcnewspapers.com/2012/06/16/spring-lake-park-council-ponders-grass-ordinance-change/ 

Spring Lake Park council ponders grass ordinance change

By Tim Hennagir on June 16, 2012 at 7:00 am

• 
• 
• 

How high does the grass grow in Spring Lake Park?

Answering that question depends on an amendment regulating the green stuff’s maximum height.

Current city code states any grass or weeds more than nine inches in height shall be deemed a public nuisance, said Barry Brainard, code enforcement director.

The subject of grass height came up during a June 7 Spring Lake Park City Council discussion. Previously, councilmembers had requested city staff survey adjacent communities regarding required green space in commercial areas as well as grass height regulations.

Brainard’s survey of adjacent communities regarding maximum grass and weed heights produced the following results: Fridley, 10 inches; Columbia Heights, nine inches; Coon Rapids, eight inches; Mounds View, eight inches; and Blaine, six inches.

“The range is from six inches to 10 inches with Spring Lake Park falling within that range but on the high end,” Brainard said.

“Nine inches is too high,” said Councilmember Dale Dahl, suggesting the council change the ordinance to six inches. Councilmember Barbara Carlson agreed.

According to Brainard, his department currently uses a simple tool to check grass height compliance. “We have a stick with a ruler on it,” he said. “We put it down and check the height of the grass or weeds. If that’s something you want to amend, it’s something we can do.”

Councilmembers unanimously agreed, directing City Administrator Barbara Nelson to prepare a maximum grass height ordinance change for review and approval at the council’s June 18 meeting.

Tim Hennagir is at tim.he...@ecm-inc.com