Complaints from businesses about a city zoning department demand that they install costly decorative fences and make other costly changes has prompted the City Council to consider a moratorium on the fix-up program.
Alderman Gene Schulter (47th Ward), chairman of the Council’s Committee on License and Consumer Protection, plans to introduce legislation Wednesday that would delay for one year the enforcement of the landscaping ordinance. Business owners, many of whom complained to aldermen about the zoning department’s enforcement effort, will not have to make improvements or pay fines while the proposal is under consideration, Mr. Schulter said.
Norma Reyes, commissioner of the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and Patricia Scudiero, commissioner of the Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning, have agreed to the year moratorium, Mr. Schulter said.
Alderman Tom Allen (38th) said city inspectors should focus on safety, adding, “I don’t consider not having a tree or an ornamental fence a heinous offense.”
This story would benefit with some explanation of what the landscaping ordinance actually says. What, exactly are owner required to do under the ordinance? Come on, CNC. You are supposedly journalists. This website sucks.