I have been dealing with unresolved issues related to St. Louis city property inspections going back to 2014. The issue is related to properties near mine with high weeds growing on, under, through and over fences. This creates an eyesore, damages fences, lowers property values, and is hazardous when left unchecked.
City inspectors have regularly said there is no issue of tall, overgrown or aggressive vegetation, arguing that some are shrubs but not trees, and some are not weeds. Technicalities aside, they are not enforcing ordinances that other municipalities in the region have no problem enforcing.
I have reached out to various municipalities to understand why they are able to address weeds on private and occupied properties, but St. Louis says it cannot. The city makes every excuse as to why it cannot enforce property standards, starting with lack of staff, funds, equipment or whatever reason du jour.
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I have a suspicion it's some of the above but more due to mismanagement, poor decision-making, planning, and lack of decentralized authority and delegation.
This is a waste of taxpayer money. I have written to various public officials and consulted with private legal counsel to understand my rights. One should not have to take such unnecessary steps to seek relief for such simple things as nuisance weeds. In short, the city refuses to enforce its own codes, which contributes to St. Louis' decline.
Mitchell Easter
St. Louis
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