Abandoned Tent, Bins, Debris Left on Danville Creek Parcel; Cleanup Weighed

DANVILLE, CA — The Danville Town Council will consider whether to formally declare a public nuisance on a vacant parcel where there were complaints of an unauthorized campsite and abandoned belongings.

In March, the town began receiving complaints that there was an active campsite in a small lot along Green Valley Creek designated for flood control and drainage, according to a staff report. A code enforcement inspection revealed tents, personal property, and evidence of human occupancy.

On April 7, the town issued a Notice to Abate, which gave owner Esther Jean Donaghy 10 days to remove the item. A follow-up inspection on April 22 showed that the campsite had been vacated, but a range of belongings were scattered across the site, including a collapsed tent, plastic bins, lumber, a cart, and other debris.

Town officials say that the remaining items violate local code and qualify as a public nuisance, but the town cannot clear the property because the belongings are considered private property. If the council determines that a nuisance exists, it will give the owner a final deadline (recommended 10 days, no longer than 30 days) to remove the items. If the items are not removed by the deadline, the town could carry out the cleanup itself and bill the property owner, or place a lien on the parcel to recover costs.

See here for more information, and here for the full Tuesday council agenda.