Barrington may clean up foreclosed homes

Barrington trustees next month will consider allowing public works employees to perform emergency landscape maintenance on residential property without owners' permission.

The proposed ordinance is largely aimed at problems with foreclosed property, but wouldn't necessarily be confined to such cases.

The changes, if approved, would allow such things as the cutting of grass more 10 inches tall and removal of trees infested by the destructive emerald ash borer.

These and similar maintenance issues have a potential impact on surrounding property values, officials said.

Public Works Director Dennis Burmeister said that while no notice to the homeowner would be required, his department does intend to send one notice unless there's absolutely no question that a house is abandoned.

Village attorney James Bateman said the ordinance follows enabling legislation passed in Springfield last year. The rising number of foreclosures in the state inspired the change, as finding the bank that owns a foreclosed home is sometimes difficult and time-consuming.

Such difficulties recently inspired a different new law in Schaumburg, where banks that own foreclosed property were required to identify themselves to the village.

Barrington's proposed change will be considered by the village board at its 8 p.m. meeting on Aug. 17.