Jackson Township Zoning Department

PURPOSE:  To control the spread of noxious weeds, wild parsnip, wild carrot, oxeye daisy, wild mustard, or other harmful weeds growing on lands in Jackson Township.

Noxious Weed: - Means shatter cane (Sorghum bicolor), Russian Thistle (Salsola Kai var. tenuifolia), or any plant designated a noxious weed by the director or agriculture.

ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE:

1. The Board of Trustees receives written information that noxious weeds or other harmful weeds are growing on lands in Jackson Township and forwards same to the Legal Assistant for processing.
2. A preliminary notice letter is sent to the owner of record by the Legal Assistant informing them the property is to be mowed by the Thursday before the Trustee meeting or to contact us as to whether they will be cutting the weeds or have a reason for not doing so.
3. An acknowledgment letter is sent to the complainant signed by the Legal Assistant.
4. On the Friday preceding the Trustee meeting the complaint is forwarded to the Zoning Investigator for inspection and report.
5. If noxious weeds are found by the Zoning Investigator, a resolution is adopted by the Board of Trustees and sent by certified mail notifying the person in charge of the land to destroy the weeds within five (5) days of receipt of the resolution.
6. If the person in charge of the land fails to comply with the resolution, the Board of Trustees shall cause the weeds to be cut or destroyed and may employ the necessary labor, materials, and equipment to perform the task.  The owner shall have a continuing duty to cut or destroy the noxious weeds every 30 days from the date of the said Resolution until October 31.
7. The Board of Trustees shall make a written report to the County Auditor of the Board’s action with a statement of the Board’s charges for its services, the amount paid for labor, materials, and equipment, and a proper description of the premises.  These amounts, when allowed, shall be entered upon the tax duplicate, shall be a lien upon the land from the date of the entry, and shall be collected as other taxes and returned to the Township and placed in the Township General Fund.
8. An administrative fee will be added to the tax duplicate for any noxious weed complaint when Resolution is adopted by the Board of Trustees regardless of compliance.

APPLICABLITY

This Policy shall be applicable for any lot in a platted subdivision and other parcels of less than one and one-half (1.5) acres in size.

EFFECTIVENESS

This policy shall be in effect each year beginning April 15.  No complaints will be accepted after September 30.

ADOPTED: November 29, 1994

AMENDED:

• June 6, 1995
• June 25, 2001
• July 14, 2003
• June 22, 2009
• March 13, 2012