City of Spring Valley

Mayor's note: Matters Other than Financial

MATTERS OTHER THAN FINANCIAL

This addition to my annual letter is in response to requests for clarification/guidance regarding some issues pertinent to Spring Valley.

DEED COMPLIANCE

• Governments do not make deed restrictions/covenants, therefore they have no authority to enforce adherence, except via ordinances covering land use and zoning.
• As a 6th class city, we have minimal authority to make such ordinances (covering land use and zoning), and thus our residents must rely upon Louisville Metro’s Code of Ordinances for resolution/compliance enforcement in a situation perceived to be a deed violation. In which case, a call to Metro’s Line 311 might bring some help via the assignment of an “investigative/enforcement inspector,” assuming the issue is also a violation of Metro’s Code. Otherwise, residents in the same “deed set” are faced with the “rigors” (and cost) of pursuing correction on the own.

YARD SIGN GUIDELINES

• Absolute prohibition of signs affixed, however temporarily, to City’s sign or light posts or street/traffic signs, no exceptions, despite “blind eye” tolerance covered below. (Our rule, no ordinance needed!)
• No signs allowed on City’s common property, entrances or rights-of-way (1st 15 feet from curb, approximately.)
• No vendor/service (commercial) signs allowed anywhere in our residential only city.
• Real estate signs permitted on the property for sale only, behind the right-of-way.
• Election-related signs permitted on “advocating” property only, behind the right-of-way, reasonably in advance (no more than 1 to 2 months), and down by end of election week.

Most of the above are covered by Metro Code, and we are legally constrained from granting permission to do otherwise. There is, however, no requirement that your Government, or you individually, must enforce the Code. In the interest of a “reasonable person” approach, we can implement (as has been our practice) the “blind eye” approach in certain instances (assuming such forbearance is not abused).

Examples: (1) When the cause is “worthy enough” (lost child or pet), signs mounted on their own “sticks,” i.e., “self-standing,” at major city exits could be overlooked. (2) While “vendor/service work” is actually in progress/ongoing, a sign on the property behind the right-of-way might also be ignored, but in no case for more than 2 weeks. (3) Real Estate “Open House” signs up in advance by 1 day max and down by dusk of “Open House” day, in right-of-way only at major entrances and never in gardens, would probably quality for “blind eye” tolerance. (Keep in mind, people do have maps and should not require directions throughout the city). (4) Yard Sale signs must be “self-standing,” at entrances only (never in gardens), and up same day and down immediately after sale conclusion in order to pass muster.

RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP

• Must be on lead (leashed) when walked.
• Picking up after dog while walking is mandatory (not an option).
• When not on a lead, must be confined to property of residence by fencing, above or below (“invisible”) ground. No roaming.
• Dog must not exhibit “nuisance-type” behavior; e.g., prolonged/incessant barking, regardless of reason; vicious-appearing or threatening actions, or sounds, toward immediate neighbors or passersby, absent provocation (particularly with “invisible” fencing.

This paraphrases Metro Animal Control Services regulations. Cautionary Note: A call to them by anyone regarding a complaint could result in a citation and quite likely a minimum $100 fine. From past experience, it seems that they are pro-active and do not have to witness the violation in order to “cite and fine.”