At Tuesday night's council study session, he made those arguments in person. He pointed out that 100 to 150 new homes are built in Grand Island each year. He said Grand Island has at least that many remodelings every year that are equivalent to new construction. As a result, Cuypers said, city staff could face enforcing such an ordinance in 200 to 300 locations each year. City Councilman Larry Seifert, however, said it's frustrating to be powerless to help homeowners who are frustrated by one person's refusal to properly plant or sod a lawn.
Grand Island requires businesses to landscape properties.
Seifert said it seems discriminatory to require businesses to landscape but not homeowners. Cuypers said there is an important difference. Many businesses would never landscape without a law, but most homeowners want a nice lawn. The lawn on Lambchop Lane is an aberration, he said. Code Enforcement Officer Tim Holloway already is handling 10 to 15 calls a day on unmowed lawns, Cuypers said.