The Division of Property Maintenance has received your complaint and it has been assigned to an inspection for resolution. Thank you.

This level of property neglect will have multiple effects on the neighborhood. It will cause a drop in Property values throughout the neighborhood. the standing water provides the exact environment necessary for breeding mosquitos which can be carriers for west Nile virus. This would put the children and families at considerable risk while owners are generally allowed freedom to maintain their property as they see fit. When neglect has the potential to have harmful health effects within their neighborhood these practices should be addressed rapidly and the neglect taken care of as soon as possible. Bamboo removal from neighboring yards is difficult, costly, and can employ toxic chemicals that could be dangerous to the children and pets in residence.
ornamental bamboo which is a non- native species if left unmanicured can overtake outdoor space rapidly and can prove difficult and costly to remove. It can also provide cover for many undesirable species generally unwelcome in a suburban neighborhood.

sent to superv isor for contractor approval

This issue was sent to the contractor for resolution

This property has been inspected and a notice of violation has been issued.

please disregard my comment. this issue has been sent to the contractor for resolution

Does that mean the city is going to clean up this lot?

a followup inspection has been scheduled for the property

Please make sure the inspector checks the BACK yard. The back yard has the serious issues. The front yard and side yard are cluttered with excessive debris, but the back yard is where the bamboo, the overgrowth and the vermin are.

The issue has been resolved, thank you

I'm confused. How can this be resolved if nothing's been done? The grass in the side yard still hasn't been mowed, bamboo is still encroaching on neighboring properties, and mosquitoes and vermin are getting worse.

Yes, I would like to know how this is 'resolved' as well. I would at least like a detailed report of exactly what has been done, because from my view, nothing has been done at all.

The issue has been abated per the inspector file notes.

Nothing's been abated. The sideyard still has grass that's 5 feet tall, and the bamboo has not been addressed. The mosquitoes are getting worse, and trash is now gathering in the side yard.

We are sorry, but this issue should not have been closed, the inspectors notes only indicate that he will revisit when he receives the completion report.

6/29/2011 - The City of Richmond Code Team is still looking into this matter for Overgrowth. The case is still active - rtt

The abatement of the issue, by the contractor, has not been completed yet.

The abatement of the issue, by the contractor, has not been completed yet.

The inspector’s notes state that the reported issue has been abated. Thank you.

Again, what has been done?! If you're not going to do anything, at least tell us. If you are going to do something, then stop dragging your feet and do something already. This is RIDICULOUS. I have written a letter to Kathy Graziano already, and I will write another to complain about this.

I will stop reopening this complaint when something has actually been abated. Sec. 38-154 of the Richmond, VA Code of Ordinances specifically outlines what's legal and what is not. The grass that is 54 inches tall far exceeds the maximum of 12 inches that is states in this code.

38-152 covers his accumulation of junk. 54-44 covers stagnant water, which he also has in his back yard. 35-154 not only covers the grass and vegetation, but also the failure to remove a fallen tree in his back yard.

The point is, this is a legitimate complaint, a legitimate issue. ACT.

Not only is the invasive overgrowth that originates from this property a nuisance to those who live on bordering properties, it poses a long term threat to the neighboring railroad system and may compromise road and drainage structures

Here is one angle.

Here is another.

From the train tracks.

And another.

The notes in the inspector’s case file state that the reported issue has been corrected. Thank you for your patience.

Sorry, but nothing's happened. Since the weeds that were 4 feet tall when the complaint was opened are now in excess of 10 feet tall, nothing can be deemed "corrected." It has reach a point that we can't enjoy our own back yard because of the neglect of our neighbor. The frustration we're experiencing with City of Richmond and its Codes and Ordinances department only adds to our concerns. Is it possible for you to provide us with the name of the inspector so we can learn why he/she determined this has been corrected?

This property has been inspected and a notice of violation has been re- issued.

The inspector has notated, in the case file, that the reported issue has been corrected to meet code regulations. Thank you for your patience.