Marble Falls softens some front yard restrictions under suggested cleanup guidelines
MARBLE FALLS —City staffers have softened suggested guidelines aimed at cleaning up cluttered lawns, but some rules — including limiting playscapes in the front yard — remain unchanged.
City Manager Ralph Hendricks gave another overview of the proposed new rules Aug. 7 during a City Council meeting.
City staffers were asked July 3 to go back to the drawing board after both the council and residents raised concerns that some of the suggested rules were too restrictive.
The council has not voted on the changes yet, but even if they are approved, residents will have 12-14 months to work with the city cleaning up their yards, Hendricks said.
“This is a culture change for our community,” Hendricks said. “We’re going to help bring people into compliance. (The ordinance enforcement officer) is going to go up to residents and say, ‘What can we do to help you?'”
In the past, city officials have also said the guidelines aim to keep neighborhoods looking pleasant, which also helps those trying to sell a home or lot.
Hendricks said the city for about a year has discussed an ordinance to amend the city code dealing with property maintenance, traffic and motor vehicles and nuisances.
The council will hold one more public hearing and a reading of the proposed ordinance at a later date before voting on adopting the amendments.
Residents can visit City Hall, 800 Third St., to look at a draft of the ordinance.
One change since last month is the removal of a rule that limits only three vehicles to a driveway, Hendricks said. Critics had argued that children living at home with cars, or spouses and other relatives who ran a business, might need the space for more autos.
Council members also said some residents have questioned a provision that stipulates children’s playscapes can only be in the front yard 72 hours, but Hendricks said that suggested rule hasn’t changed.
“This is more of a safety issue,” Hendricks said about keeping playgrounds and play equipment in the backyard. “In today’s society children are targeted. We think it’s a safety issue to have kids’ (play areas) in the backyards.”
Also, some residents are critical of a provision barring furniture in the front yard, council members said.
According to Hendricks, the new guidelines allow furniture specifically made for outdoor use in the front.
Still, the proposed ordinance does limit even outdoor furniture and outdoor grills in front yards for no more than 72 hours for a gathering or “setting.”
“We want people to have parties and to have fun, but we want them to clean up afterwards,” Hendricks said.
To illustrate his concerns, Hendricks showed photos of front yards littered with debris and beer cans and others with cars and water craft parked all over the lawn.
“What would you think about our community driving by this?” he said.
But he also included photos of residents working to improve their properties.
“They’re trying,” he said. “And we want to encourage that and work with them.”
The city will also launch a public education effort about the new rules if and when the council adopts them.
Other guidelines in the ordinance include:
• Carports can be used for parking vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats and lawn equipment.
• Trash carts must be removed from the curb by 10 p.m. (currently it’s 7 p.m.)
• High weeds must be cut before reaching 12 inches.
• Blowing or sweeping grass clippings into the street is prohibited.