Council Sets Some Guidelines on Composting
On Monday night, Lakewood City Council unanimously OK’d an ordinance that sets some guidelines on composting in the city.
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Looking to maintain healthy soil and keep tons of garbage out of landfills, city officials are hoping to encourage residents to compost.
But first, there are some ground rules.
On Monday night, Lakewood City Council unanimously OK’d an ordinance that sets some guidelines on composting in the city.
“The goal here is to put the city on a footing whereby we can promote composting to be — not the exception — but the common practice in Lakewood,” said Ward 2 Councilman Tom Bullock, who introduced the legislation.
He said there are a couple of benefits to the proposed ordinance: First, it’s good for soil building and gardening, he said. Secondly, the practice will cut down on waste headed for landfills.
“We want to actively promote this,” he said. “But before we say ‘hey everybody, please compost,’ we need to have some dos and don’ts in place.”
The ordinance adds a brief definition explaining composting. It also removes a section limiting composting to the backyard — the side of a home may now also feature a compost pile, as long as its out of sight.
Three sections are also added to regulate how the composting should be carried out, including requirements on keeping containers aimed at keeping out odors and rodents.
The ordinance also gives the public works department the ability to fine those — $25 the first time, and $100 for subsequent offenses — who don’t follow the rules.
Bullock said city council may also look at encouraging — and regulating — rain barrels in the city.
Want to learn more about composting? Check out our video of the workshop that the city hosted at Lakewood Park in September.
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Lakewood City Hall
12650 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH -
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Lakewood Park
14532 Lake Ave, Cleveland, OH
Alex Vandehoff
8:34 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Not a bad idea - though I think they need to establish 'guidelines' prior to making them regulations. Most people that are going to undertake these things are going to want to do it the right way, especially since they will be using their own resources to build the devices. Help these residents out before fining them.
Peter Grossetti
10:52 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Agreeing wholeheartedly with Alex ... "most people that are going to undertake these things are going to want to do it the right way."
The same could be said about people who want to raise hens in their backyard.
The same could be said about people who want to be resposnible pet owners (including those who want to own pit bull breed dogs).
And while I am not a proponent of gun ownership ... the same could be said about people with CCW who understand what responsible gun ownership is all about.
There will always be the scofflaws ... but that is why we have law enforcement departments and justice systems. The real key is not to over-legislate/over-regulate society to a point where it is a drain on a municipality's resources (time/people/money).
Council's role is the making of laws and monitoring the operation and performance of the City budget ... not being our parents!
Angel Whitman Neal
1:46 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Nicely said Peter. I for one educated myself on composting before I started it and find it to be working effortlessly. Lakewood residents are FULLY CAPABLE of becoming educated and following through without micro-management that wastes time and resources. Residents take pride in their community and want to improve it, not tear it down. Give us a chance to do those things and punish the ones who don't do it well on a case to case basis. Don't punish the entire city of Lakewood because bad apples exist.
Steve
1:55 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I totally agree with you both. Our city council seems to take one step forward on THEIR issues, then two steps back to push them thru. Over legislation is bad for Lakewood and it's citizens. Seems that council cannot find a balance on most everything lately. Citizens, who are they? They just get in the way of our egos.
Kristel Smith
8:16 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I guess what I'd like to know is if these regulations were put in place as a response to nuisance compost piles or if they are simply assuming people won't do it responsibly?
If they are simply anticipating problems that may or may not actually happen, perhaps a more encouraging and positive approach would be to sell (at cost) city friendly compost bins along with a free course on how best to do it well. I'm sure someone at OSU extension would be more than happy to supply a volunteer to teach the course and might even have a source for low cost bins.