Ames residents voiced their opinions on a possible code that would impose restrictions on property maintenance  Monday night.

Approximately 50 people attended the meeting, which included an educational presentation about what property maintenance codes are and how they would affect property owners.

Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred moderated the public discussion and acknowledged that concern about unsightly properties has increased over his 28 years working with the city.

“Maybe we’re more sensitive, but I know that there really are some changes that have been occurring in this community, it seems that these complaints or issues brought to us as a city have become more frequent,” Kindred said.

Before the meeting, attendees were invited to look at photographs of different property maintenance issues that the city received complaints about in the last two years, including overgrown vegetation, outdoor storage and junk vehicles.

Ames Fire Chief Clint Petersen said there are several routes the city can take with the property maintenance codes: leave things the way they are, institute a widely-accepted property maintenance code, or let the city write its own code.

Petersen said the city currently has property maintenance ordinances that apply to certain issues, but a new property maintenance code would address such things as grass height, downspouts and peeling paints on walls.

The  suggestion spurred intense discussion among attendees, many of whom were concerned about how far city government was extending its reach into private lives.

“You improve your rental housing codes, now you’re going after exterior — how soon is it you’re going to be knocking on our door asking us if we’re living up to your standards? When does the invasion of privacy end?” said Jim Young, an Ames resident.

Others were concerned about how these new maintenance requirements would be enforced.

“I wonder why you are trying to add more laws when you’re not enforcing the laws we already have?,” asked Ames resident John Homer.

Petersen also said the city is trying to enforce the laws, but some citizens are still not complying.

Kindred said the current system is complaint-based, but some residents said this system is insufficient, because it gives unfair advantage to those neighborhoods with the most vocal residents.

Though the discussion got heated at times, the forum ended peacefully, with everyone getting a chance to speak. Kindred said it would be impossible to come up with a solution that would make everyone happy in one evening, but there are many more discussions to come.

Another public forum will take place in Scheman Hall at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. All Ames residents are invited to attend. After Saturday’s meeting, Kindred said city staff will package the discussion results and put them before the city council at a special meeting that should happen some time in March.