Lebanon Committee debates property‑maintenance code, right‑of‑way rocks and enforcement

A resident complaint that brush, stone piles and other material were encroaching into township rights‑of‑way prompted an extended discussion on July 8 about enforcement and whether Lebanon Township needs a new property‑maintenance ordinance.

Committee member Abe Babakowski (introduced on the record) described multiple instances of brush and stones in rights‑of‑way and said the problem is “pervasive throughout the township.” He asked how to ensure compliance and whether the township could issue citations or have DPW clear hazardous material.

Township legal staff and the zoning officer said existing ordinances (including township code 325‑53 and property‑maintenance provisions) provide enforcement tools but that responses should be prioritized by danger: immediate hazardous conditions should be removed by DPW; other cases typically begin with warnings and escalate to citations where needed. The attorney suggested public notice (for example, in an upcoming tax mailing) and case‑by‑case enforcement steps to avoid uneven application.

Public commenters urged caution against overreach, saying longstanding trees, natural boulders and historic features should not be treated the same as newly constructed rock walls or dumped debris. One resident warned that the town should avoid a “pendulum” that would make routine rural features subject to punitive enforcement.

The committee asked DPW and the zoning officer to survey problem areas, to prioritize removal of dangerous obstructions, and for counsel to draft suggested language or sample ordinances for committee consideration. No new ordinance was adopted; members emphasized using current code where applicable and returning with proposed language or options for a narrow, targeted property‑maintenance rule.

Next steps: staff were asked to draft outreach text and enforcement options, consult the tax‑mailing schedule for public notice, and bring back draft ordinance language or enforcement protocols for the committee to review.