Bourbon Board Holds Another Nuisance Violation Hearing

The Bourbon City Council on Sept. 15 held a public hearing for residents who were served nuisance violations or tall grass.

The city sent out several notices to those in violation, allowing them to appeal.

Bourbon held a hearing in July 2021 for residents who had derelict vehicles or unkempt properties. 

Not as many showed Sept. 15 as the hearing last year.

Mayor Dave Lafferty said residents weren’t required to attend if they had corrected the issue.

“Don’t come if you fixed the problem,” Lafferty said after the hearing. 

The mayor said several weren’t in attendance and he had spoken to at least one person before the meeting who was looking for more time.

“Just don’t ignore it,” Lafferty said. 

Ward 1 Alderwoman Margie Brine asked what the next steps would be.

Lafferty said the police department would be checking on compliance from those who were served a notice.

The city has taken the steps of towing away derelict vehicles and following through on their threats, though they gave residents time.

Lafferty said he has seen residents taking action.

“There was a car gone on College Street,” he said. “Another says they will have a car moved tomorrow.”

If residents address the violation, “we forget about it,” Lafferty said.

Lafferty told residents at the hearing last year that Bourbon has had the nuisance ordinances on the books for 20 years and they weren’t being strictly enforced.

“We didn’t change anything,” Lafferty said. “I want to see improvement.”