Frederick County wants to tackle vacant homes, shaggy lawns

Frederick County might step in to help alleviate the housing crisis. Next week, the Frederick County Commissioners plan to discuss a new law to prevent overgrown lawns. They also directed the county's director of Housing and Community Development to investigate methods other counties are using to combat high rates of foreclosures, such as buying foreclosed homes for county employees or first-time homebuyers. Commissioner David Gray said he and others are hoping the housing market will improve without county action, but it's prudent to take these steps now. He introduced the lawn regulation proposal after his office received several calls from residents about overgrown lawns in their neighborhoods. Roughly 10 years ago, the county considered a law that would require property owners to maintain their land, but it was never... [read full story]