CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 4, 2025Click or tap here to enter text.
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. __ - 25 DECLARING A PUBLIC NUISANCE DUE
TO THE PRESENCE OF WEEDS AND ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF
SAME ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 319 GLORIA DRIVE
SYNOPSIS
Pursuant to Pleasant Hill Municipal Code (PHMC) section 7.45.050, this is a public hearing for the City Council to consider declaring a public nuisance and ordering the abatement of extensive weed growth at 319 Gloria Drive. City Code Enforcement (CE) learned of the conditions onsite in April 2023 through an anonymous complaint. CE staff has issued five formal written notices, two administrative citations, and a notice regarding this hearing to the property owner, who has taken no action to date to address conditions onsite. Staff is requesting the City Council adopt the resolution, declare a public nuisance, and order an abatement.
DISCUSSION
Property Information
The property is located on the south side of Gloria Drive abutting 313 and 325 Gloria Drive and adjacent to the single-family residential lots at 312, 318, and 324 Belva Lane. The 7,300-sq-ft lot is developed with a 1,484-sq-ft single-family residence with a 360-sq-ft garage.
Background
The City received multiple complaints in April 2023 about overgrown weeds at 319 Gloria Drive that were unsightly and a potential fire hazard. In accordance with Pleasant Hill Municipal Code (PHMC) section 7.05.070 (Determination of Nuisance – Notice to Abate), a notice to abate or show cause was first issued per required provisions, including certified mail on-site public posting.
The notice was returned to the City as “Unclaimed” after multiple unsuccessful attempted deliveries by the United States Postal Service (USPS). A second notice was sent with the same unclaimed status.
Code Enforcement (CE) staff followed up and reinspected the property and noted its condition had remained unchanged and continued to pose a potential hazard. As allowed per the PHMC, staff issued an administrative citation for $100. After a subsequent reinspection, CE staff issued a second administrative citation for $200 for lack of compliance. CE Staff was notified that the property owner’s payment for the administrative citation was returned by the bank.
CE staff conducted a second re-inspection and noted the property remained in violation. In response to the ongoing violation, CE staff issued a courtesy notice to the property owner noting that staff would now seek a court-ordered warrant abatement. However, as the rainy season arrived, the exigence to abate was minimized, though CE staff continued to monitor the property monthly and update file photos.
After the rainy season, the City received renewed complaints about the tall weeds onsite. Rather than pursue a court-ordered warrant, staff determined it would be more cost effective to adopt a new ordinance similar to the County Fire District, which notifies property owners of violations and assigns a deadline for compliance. If a deadline expires, County Fire abates the nuisance, and records the cost of the abatement against the property’s tax rolls as a special assessment.
This ordinance (No. 973) was adopted by the City Council on December 2, 2024.
Subsequently after another rainy season, in April 2025, the City received the same complaint about the property. In accordance with the new ordinance, the City issued two notices to abate or show cause in the same previous manner with similar unsuccessful results. As a result of continued noncompliance, on July 28, 2025, CE staff issued notice of this hearing to the property owner via regular and certified mail and posted the notice in a conspicuous place on the property.
Based on the continued noncompliance to address the hazardous and unsightly weed condition, CE staff requests City Council’s approval to abate and resolve the issue.
Violation Description
The property owner has allowed the proliferation of overgrown weeds onsite at 319 Gloria Drive since at least April 2023. The existing condition poses a health and safety risk and fire hazard in violation of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code.
Findings
Despite CE staff’s numerous attempts at outreach, the property owner has taken no action to contact CE staff to discuss the merits of the case, bring the property into compliance, or seek redress from code enforcement actions. However, as noted, the property owner did attempt to pay one of the two administrative citations issued in June 2023, which serves as prima facie evidence that the property owner was aware of the violation.
Other Requirements
Pursuant to PHMC section 7.45.090, a property owner may object to the proposed declaration of public nuisance and removal of weeds, rubbish, refuse, and dirt from the property during the public hearing on the matter. In accordance with PHMC sections 7.45.070 and 7.45.080, CE staff sent notice of this hearing via regular and certified mail to the property owner at the last known address, as shown on the assessment roll of the city, and conspicuously posted notice onsite at 319 Gloria Drive.
If the property owner appears before the City Council to appeal the notice, as set forth in PHMC section 7.45.090, the City Council shall hear and consider all objections to the proposed removal of weeds, rubbish, refuse, and dirt. Where appropriate, the reviewing authority may condition its approval on any or all of the following:
a. The City Council may continue the hearing from time to time. b. The City Council may adopt the resolution, declare a public nuisance and order an abatement.
c. Other conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. d. The decision of the City Council is final.
Next Steps
If the City Council declares a public nuisance and authorizes staff to abate, staff will move forward with the abatement at 319 Gloria Drive, after which an invoice will be sent to the property owner for the cost of abatement. If the invoice is not paid within 30 days of notice, pursuant to PHMC section 7.45.140, CE staff will return to the City Council to request approval to place a lien against the property for the cost of abatement via county tax rolls.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. Any funds expended on abatement would be recovered via invoice payment or property lien recorded on the county tax rolls.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public Contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt the Resolution to Declare a Public Nuisance and Order Abatement of Same
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Continue the item to a later date with direction provided to staff, or afford the property owner additional time to bring the property into compliance.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A Proposed Resolution
Attachment B Courtesy letter
Attachment C Pleasant Hill Ordinance No. 973, adding Chapter §7.45 – Weed Abatement Attachment D Notice of Hearing
Prepared by: Luis Martinez, City Code Investigator
Reviewed by: Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager