Michigan, Ohio Cities Declaring War On Foreclosure "Eyesores"

1) The News Herald reports that in Willowick, Ohio, city officials, hope they have found a solution to the eyesores created by boarded up, foreclosed homes. The City Council has unaninously passed an ordinance prohibiting lending institutions from boarding up such homes. Lending institutions that violate the ordinance could be charged with an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 for each day the violation occurs. For more, see Willowick prohibits boarding up homes.

2) In an attempt to get a hold on the "tall grass" problem common with homes that are in foreclosure and/or vacant, the City Council in Westland, Michigan unanimously passed an ordinance on tall grass, according to a story in The Detroit News. The ordinance calls grass higher than 8 inches a problem and mandates it must be cut by the owner, officials said. The ordinance takes immediate effect. The move follows similar ordinances in Warren and Grosse Pointe Woods to crack down on tall grass as foreclosure rates soar in Metro Detroit. For more, see Westland cracks down on tall grass.

3) In Bowling Green, Ohio, The BG News reports that "Legislation introduced in City Council on Monday would allow the city to more quickly mow homeowners' lawns if the owner fails to respond to requests to do so". The bill sponsor reportedly said he introduced the bill to help cope with increasing foreclosures in the city, which can leave the property neglected. For more, see Proposed bill aims to tidy lawns.