Garden City is serious about blight.
In fact, tall weeds, junk cars and other violations are likely to end up in court. This week, the city announced it is launching a special blight court to crack down on eyesores.
Garden City’s new Administrative Hearing Bureau will hear cases when resident or businesses are ticketed for blight, officials announced on Thursday, June 26.
Offenders will be required to pay penalties and additional costs for violations, including yard waste left improperly at the curb, inoperable vehicles, zoning violations and excess grass and weeds, among others.
The hearings will be held at the Garden City Police station, where an officer will conduct a trial. Violations will be settled internally through a city court.
For example, for high grass and weeds, residents could be required to pay $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second violation, and $500 for the third and any further violations.
“This isn’t about writing tickets — it’s about improving our neighborhoods. We encourage residents to address issues promptly and work with us to maintain the high standards that make Garden City a great place to live.”
Local officials have the discretion to issue a blight citation as a first violation. If cited, residents will have to appear at blight court on the date given on the notice.
Individuals have the opportunity to waive an appearance and enter the plea by mail and immediately pay the fine amount.
Garden City, a suburb in southeast Michigan, is located 15 miles west of Detroit.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Garden City launches new blight court to combat eyesores
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
