The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by George Sakkestad

City officials are working to get at the root of the weed problem in commercial lots in Sunnyvale.

City declares war on weeds

By Steve Enders

There's a new public enemy No. 1 in Sunnyvale.

According to a recent City Council resolution, the perpetrator "exists upon all of the streets, alleys, sidewalks and private property within the city."

The problem is weeds, and the city has labeled them a "public nuisance."

The council voted Feb. 3 in favor of declaring war on the pesky plants.

"Weeds are a curse upon humanity, and we should stamp them out," Councilman Fred Fowler said. The declaration is an annual one, according to city spokesman Dave Vossbrink.

According to city code, in order to kill the weeds the city must go through the formality of declaring them a "nuisance" each time they crop up--about once a year.

"Every year in the summertime, we have to go around the city and chop down the high weeds and charge the landowners for the service," Vossbrink said.

The weed abatement program is aimed at industrial and commercial property owners who have lots where weeds can grow so high that they become a health and safety hazard, Vossbrink said.

"Not only are they a fire hazard," he said, "but they're a place people throw trash."

Property owners are responsible for removing weeds from their property.

If they are warned by the city and don't comply, the city contractor will remove the weeds. The bill for the service will then be added to the owner's property taxes.

Vossbrink said that the ordinance is not intended for private citizens.

"Each year we get people who hear about this and wonder if Big Brother is coming down to their parking strip. We're talking commercial and industrial property here," he said.

[ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ]

This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, February 11, 1998.
©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.