The Observation Deck

Here's the Sun article on the proposal

For Ward 4 Councilwoman Mary Louise Madigan, it's all about curb appeal.

"For most people, their biggest investment is their home," said Madigan. "And if their neighbor is a slob, there is an adverse affect on their own investment."

Madigan is looking to eliminate neighborhood eyesores by creating new or strengthening already existing ordinances that protect neighborhoods from unsightly properties.

With Lakewood's housing stock the focus of economic development in the community, as identified by Grow Lakewood, the administration and council, Madigan finds it crucial to target these community blemishes.

...

As part of the of her proposal, Madigan hopes to include: forbidding "the use of flags, sheets or newspapers to serve as drapery in windows of businesses or residences; the use of grills on the front lawn, drive or sidewalk of apartment buildings; and the storage and use of household appliances or furniture on front porches of businesses and residences."

"By doing this, I hope people take a second look at the way they keep their property, and this includes businesses," said Madigan.

This sounds like a reasonable step toward the kind of 'good neighbor' atmosphere that many here say has been lacking in Lakewood. Is there someplace we can read these proposals in full?

you know all this stuff sounds good

However, the city is having great difficulty enforcing the codes and laws that we ALREADY HAVE on the books. We can't enforce building codes on total eyesores like the Hall House, the poster child of building code violations, but now we want to worry about whether the outdoor grills at the Meridian are technically considered to be in the front, side, or back of the property?

While I might actually agree with the spirit of Councilwoman Madigan's proposal, I think we focus on the laws we already have first.

Doug

One thing that bothers me about this is whether or not there can be designated places (outside of the public parks) where renters can grill.

Obviously, fire laws prevent grilling on balconies, porches and fire escapes, but how do we make it easier for landlords to comunicate where renters are supposed to grill?

One building where I used to rent didn't have any space where this was possible, which was too bad.

If I'm moving to Lakewood, or moving from a double to an apartment building, how am I supposed to know or remember all the rules?

The city gives a packet to all home buyers, but a lot of our good Lakewood neighbors do not own.

Doug - where were you on this one?

Encouraging good-neighborly behavior is a key to many of the issues now challenging Lakewood neighborhoods, I'm finding from front porch conversations across Ward 2. This covers many things at once: crime, trash on lawns, upkeep of homes, intimidating behavior, feeling inhibited about talking directly with neighbors to resolve problems, and more.

Knowing do's and don't's of living in Lakewood is also an issue, as DL points out. Communicating these in a proactive, friendly way could help. So distributing a "Good neighbor guide" followed up by neighborhood meetings to build neighbor-to-neighbor relationships could be an effective tool.

Doug is also correct that enforcement is key, where the rubber hits the road. New ordinances can be a good tool to address new, or better address old, problems, but all will need effective enforcement.

Neighbor engagement could help of police and housing inspectors with enforcement by communication, intelligence, extra eyes and ears in the neighborhoods. So neighborhood meetings to get residents and city officials talking directly also might help.

I'd like to convene a community forum, later in the summer, about a possible "Good Neighbor Program" which addresses these many issues. It'd be great to bring many creative minds together, and many experiences from across Lakewood, to tag-team the problems.

Ok here is a question, some of the Madison empty store fronts had newspaper in the windows for months!! It was yellowed too!! And how does the government WIC office on Detroit get away with paper cut outs on the window and dead plants in the window? What a message. yuk.