Time limit set for putting trash out on curb

Margate residents will not be allowed to put their yardwaste out more than three days before their scheduled collection day.

At a recent City Commission meeting, officials gave tentative approval for an ordinance that amends the existing code and stipulates the maximum time for people in single-family homes to place their yard waste curbside. Final approval is expected at the next City Commission meeting.

According to the law, single and multifamily units will be allowed to place their bulk waste curbside the day before their scheduled collection day. Bulk waste is collected once a month for free, but residents can put bulkwaste out more than once a month at an additional cost.

Commissioner Joanne Simone, who voted against the proposal, said the city’s code compliance staff would have a hard time enforcing the law. Allowing residents to put their yard waste out three days prior to pick up would not help the city’s efforts to look more aesthetically pleasing, she added.

“We are going to have bulk and yardwaste in our neighborhoods every day of theweek if we go this route,” said Simone. “I knowwe try to be resident friendly, but I think it will lead to problems in Margate. We need to have standards, ones that are enforceable, in our city. Three days for stuff to sit out is too long.”

Currently, code compliance staff gives property owners a 10-day notice if bulkwaste is kept curbside for long periods. The new ordinance will give staff a beer chance of enforcing the code and citing Lesa Peerman said.

“Iwork for a living,” said Peerman. “I have certain days I can do my yard work. Im not going to cut my trees on Saturday, take it all the way to the backyard and then bring it curbside the day before pick up.”

Vice Mayor Irene Schwartz, who also voted against the changes, said she agreed with Simone that residents shouldn’t be allowed three days before pick up day to put yard waste out. “As much as I agree with you as it bugs me, the bulk pick up bugs me even more,” she said. “It is a dedicated day once a month and it sits there for threeweeks.” people,

asivasankaran@ sun-sentinel.com Commissioner