The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

The City of Marion has updated its city code relating to weeds and natural landscaping.

Ordinance No. 25-05 amends Chapter 324 of the Marion Code, adding a natural or naturalistic landscape policy and permits.

Seth Staashelm, Marion Parks and Recreation Director, said the change tackles a gray area that existed in the city’s enforcement of noxious weed abatement. Previously, it would be up to a city official conducting a property inspection to determine whether it had natural landscaping or violated city code relating to noxious weeds.

“We want to get rid of the discretion and just make it black and white because ... we are firm believers in the prairie, but we really shouldn’t be opinion-ba

See Full Page