Who is responsible to see that tree limbs are 14 feet above city streets and 9 feet above sidewalks?

In years past I have received two letters requesting that my tree limbs be cut or the city would cut them and charge me.

I walk in several areas, and there are many trees over the streets and sidewalks that do not conform to the 14 feet and 9 feet that the city says is the ordinance. I am not talking about a few, but if I would guess, hundreds.

Jeff Jones, the city’s assistant public works director, said the code enforcement officer issues violation notices to residents after conducting inspections or receiving complaints.

Under Section 18-4 of the city code, owners or occupants have 10 days from their receipt of the notice to trim their trees or shrubs or — as the reader notes — the city will do so at their expense.

“The costs of the work performed, whether by the city or by contract, shall be assessed to the owner or occupant of the property, which charges shall be due and payable within ten days from completion of said work,” reads the code.

“Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the minimum charge shall be $25.00 per hour for the actual time involved in performing such work or for the amount of the contract. This fee shall be in addition to any other fees or charges required by ordinance.”

Jones said inspections run on a “rotating district-by-district basis.” To report violations, he said, residents can call public works officials at 491-1220.

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Online: www.cityoflakecharles.com.

 

Crane at Lotte site largest in nation

There is a huge construction crane operating inside Westlake Polymers’ new plant site west of I-210 in Sulphur. I’ve been told that it is the largest, or nearly the largest, one of its kind in the world. Is this true, and what is its capacity?

The crane, which isn’t related to Westlake Polymers’ operations, is being used in the construction of Lotte Chemicals’ $1.1 billion ethylene glycol plant, said Jim Rock, site executive director for Lotte Chemicals.

The facility will use some of the ethylene produced by an adjacent ethane cracker, which is a $1.9 billion joint venture between Lotte and Axiall.  

Rock said the capacity of the crane — “the third-largest crane in the world and the largest in the U.S.,” he said — is 4,100 tons. It’s now rigged with a 500-foot-long boom, he said, but while it’s on the site the boom will be extended by 200 more feet, for a total length of 700 feet.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.