Case Date:

6/23/2025

We are trying to figure out with our neighbor how to manage invasive, prohibited species on the property line. We are submitting our letter from us to them and would like advisement from the appropriate city employee to make sure we handle the issue correctly. James and Constance, Upon my review, it is not clear who cut back the shrubs / vegetation. Ellee and I reviewed the type of plants affected and there were no trees, only shrubs / bushes, as designated by the Bloomington UDO. The area in question is in both a Utilities easement and a Water run off / drainage type easement. I am not sure if someone was contracted to maintain these areas. That said, we did notice a significant number of invasive plant species originating from your property and invading / growing onto our property. As per the Bloomington UDO, these specific plants should be removed from one’s property. Our cursory evaluation identified at least and not limited to: common privet, porcelain berry, Japanese honey suckle, winter creeper and English ivy and poison ivy. What we would like by July 1, 2025 is your plan to maintain or eliminate the plants on the city’s invasive species list that originate from your property and grow onto our property. We will then take your proposal to the City for approval, as it is well established that maintaining invasive species includes not letting the plant flower so as to limit spread. If you have any questions identifying the specific plants, Ellee has graciously agreed to donate her time and effort to help you identify. If you cannot come up with a definitive plan for invasive species maintenance or elimination, The Spiers will be happy to maintain the invasive species growing from your portion of the easement onto our property in a quarterly fashion. All we ask is that you hire an official surveyor to stake a clear delineation of property lines / easement, so we know which of your invasive species plants are our responsibility to maintain. As good stewards of the community and being good neighbors, we appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Each season that goes by, your invasive species seed the creek and spread the invasive plants throughout Bloomington. If you cannot provide a reasonable plan, we will ask the City for assistance in devising a plan. Again, thank you for bringing this to my intention. I learned a lot about invasive species today. Bret

Case Date:

8/14/2024

with regards to case 192882. I just saw that her yard was mowed by a neighbor, therefore you will not see the violation. Neighbors become so frustrated that they will occasionally mow the yard. That is not fair to them. She needs to be fined. Also she permits people (possibly IU students) to stay there without electricity and water. I have not checked to see if she is registered with the city for a rental property, but seriously doubt she is. She owes fees to our Community Association and we have a lien on her house for fees owed.

Case Date:

5/8/2024

The County side of the building took down trees, has smoking next to the entrance, invasive plants and weeds all over, an area of the pavement that is a big hole that is either ice or pooling water depending on time of year, and they have signage under storm grate that was intentionally picked up and placed in there. These things are not okay, would not be tolerated if there was any other tenant, and inexcusable. Why has this not been addressed with the county that exists in City limits? They should have better standards for their taxpayers and patrons than this. As well, there are trees at the back of the property that are dying that seem to have been more recently installed in the past few years but who will replace them?? Please fix this as previous reports have just been closed out without addressing any of the issues.

Case Date:

8/24/2022

1706 E Second street house, the part of the lawn that is on Eastside Drive is unkempt. Also, could someone from the city check out the swale along that house, the Eastside Drive part. The swale is overgrown with weeds and blocks the flow from storm water to the under street drain at the corner of e Second and Eastside Drive.

Case Date:

7/21/2022

Yard has not been mowed and owner has put back up black plastic tarp to hide fact yard has not been mowed. Lots of yard debris contains standing water. This has been a problem for over a year and the house has been vacant for over three years. Nothing has been done to repair since fire. Is very much an eyesore and health hazard.

Case Date:

6/30/2022

Lots of excessive front yard and back yard growth. The back yard also contains a myriad of trash items such as old toilets which have been collecting water. My pest control company says mosquitoes won't get better here until something is done over there.

Case Date:

10/14/2021

Home owner has excessive growth in back yard. Home owner also has two untreated, unfiltered, and un-serviced pits in the back yard that fill with rain water and are left standing. Referred to as "ponds". This has caused an increase in critters and bugs in the area. I would like this request to remain anonymous please...

Case Date:

7/12/2021

Please review condition of growth in front yard. The amount of over growth and lack of drainage is causing critters to find homes and standing water issues for mosquitoes.

Case Date:

3/29/2018

Overgrown bamboo at 1002 W 6 St and Elm bending into sidewalks and street obstructing traffic. Bird droppings covering the sidewalk. The invasive plant has encroached on neighboring property where we live at 1004, so we are having to engage removal services and eventually install impermeable barriers at our expense. The back yard of 1002 is overgrown also, feral cats, possum and a skunk have been sited or smelled in a fallen shed which has not been cleared out. The Elm Street side of 1002 is full of debris and overgrowth and there is an unattended stagnant water feature where we hear frogs in the summer (which do attract copperhead snakes). Someone does seem to be inhabiting the house, though we know that the owner of the house does not reside in Indiana presently.

Case Date:

2/2/2018

I live at 812 W 2nd St. My next door neighbor lives at 820 W. 2nd St. Her back yard is overgrown and has containers that fill with water. In warm weather these containers breed mosquitos. I can't even go outside in the summer because the mosquitos are so bad. Also, she won't cut her grass along 2nd St. She says it is flowers, but it is weeds. I have seen rats in there. Also it is a traffic hazard because cars turning on to 2nd St. from Euclid St. can't see oncoming traffic. I am also sending a copy of this email to the State Board of Health in Indianapolis.