Agenda - 05-12-1998 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning/Zoniu, Issues With respect to the issue of building code enforcement in the Town of Hillsborough, within the Town's ETJ, and with specific reference to recent inquiries concerning the structure at the southwest quadrant of Churton Street/Corbin Street, I invite your attention to the accompanying letter from the County Attorney. In brief, it emphasizes that planning/zoning enforcement issues within Hillsborough's corporate limits and ETJ are Hillsborough's responsibility - they are the County's responsibility in areas beyond the Town's ETJ. Solid Waste Issues The Solid Waste Management Ordinance for Orange County was approved May 18, 1993. The purpose of the ordinance is to regulate the storage, collection, transportation, use, disposal and other disposition of solid wastes in Orange County. The ordinance was adopted pursuant to the authority contained in G.S. 153A -121 — 121.1, —136, —274 through — 278, and -291 through —293, and 130A- 309.09, — 309.09A, — 309.09B, and 309.09D. The ordinance is applicable throughout unincorporated Orange County, but does not apply within the corporate limits of any municipality in Orange County. The Solid Waste Management Ordinance is enforced jointly by the Orange County Sheriffs Department and the Public Works Department. The Orange County Public Works Department receives periodic inquiries, concerns and complaints (typically by telephone) regarding the proper management of solid waste. These typically fall into one of two main areas: • Illegal dumping (i.e., bags of household waste, loads of construction/ demolition waste, etc.); • Accumulated trash (i.e., property owner or tenant allows waste materials to accumulate on their property such that it causes a concern for neighbors). A standard reporting form is used to record each inquiry received by the Public Works Department. Public Works staff obtains specific information regarding each inquiry (i.e., location, property owner information, type of waste material, etc.). Each incident of accumulated trash is investigated to verify the nature and extent of the problem and to determine if there has been a violation under the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Ordinance. If the property owner or tenant is present, they are advised of the need to remove the accumulated waste. If the owner or tenant is not present, they are advised by registered letter of the need to clean up the property in question. The letter indicates that the property in question was inspected and advises of the provisions of the Solid Waste Ordinance that pertain to the case in question, as well as the penalties prescribed by the ordinance for violations. A copy of each letter is forwarded to the Sheriffs Department. The property owner is given a deadline by which the violation must be corrected. The property is reinspected by Public Works Department staff following the deadline. If the violation has not been corrected, the Orange County Sheriffs Department is contacted and additional enforcement action is taken. To date, all property owners have complied with written notices. Each incident of illegal dumping is also investigated by the Sheriff s Department and/or the Public Works Department. Attempts are made to identify the possible perpetrator through disposed mail, magazine mailing labels, etc. If a name and address can be determined, a telephone call is placed, or a letter is directed to the individual advising them that dumped trash with items identifying them as the owner was found and advising them that they must collect and remove the dumped items