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County to look at junkyard ordinance
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Bill Stutsman, a resident of Lake Lida east of Pelican Rapids, believes that more should be done to protect the beauty of Otter Tail County. He wants to see the establishment of a junkyard ordinance to control the spread of junk cars, other debris and materials throughout the county.
On Tuesday the county board of commissioners, while not giving the final stamp of approval, did agree to four informational meetings for county residents, followed by one or more public hearings. Time and dates will be determined at a future board meeting.
If an ordinance were established, a license would be required if a party had more than five junk autos, or junk equivalent to the same space as five junk cars.
“Junk yard problems are getting worse,” said Commissioner Robert Block.
That sentiment was echoed by Commissioner Dennis Mosher who said, “The time is now to get things cleaned up.”
Block, Mosher and the other commissioners agreed that salvage areas, many of which include junk cars, do have their place.
Junkyards existing and in operation at the time of the enactment of the ordinance would apply for a license from Otter Tail County. If a facility in existence at the time of the ordinance chose not to obtain a license, then that facility would notify the county of such intent and discontinue immediately the gathering and collecting of junk materials.
For his part, Stutsman said he’ll continue to push for the ordinance as part of what he refers to as the Visual Chaos Committee. He has spoken to lake associations and other groups the past several months.
A junk car is considered any motor vehicle not in operable condition or properly licensed for operation. It’s also one that is partially dismantled and used as a source of replacement parts for other vehicles — or kept for scrapping, dismantling or salvage of any kind.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by goingfishing (anonymous) on May 28, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't a limit of 5 a bit on the low side? I think a more reasonable amount would be 10 to 15.
Posted by prowler (anonymous) on May 28, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not when you live next to someone that has 5 junkers in their yard!
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on May 28, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
More rules, more regulations.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on May 28, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can easily see this issue from two different angles. I don't particularly enjoy finding the county's biggest junk collections while out on a Sunday drive, but I don't think licensing is the way to handle it. It may line the county's pockets, but at what price? I think requiring landowners to fence in or otherwise restrict the public view of their junk would keep everyone happy. Many people have been collecting old cars and miscellaneous objects for years, and on their own land, why not? Some use the car parts for hobbies, and some just let them pile up. Some may even call it "art". However, I do acknowledge that such "junkyards" can be a hazard and home to unwanted pests. A wandering curious child could easily get hurt or lost among so many old cars and appliances, and high winds can send flying debris for miles. Let's let people be who they are and do what they enjoy, as long as they can build a fence or keep their "collections" in a less noticible parcle of land, who is it hurting?
Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on May 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now we have lake associations telling us what we have to do ??? Most of whom only live here 3, 4 months a year? You care about the beauty of Otter Tail co.?? Lake home's are the biggest eye sores in Otter Tail Co. There is nothing beautiful about a lake that has wall to wall house's around it. Not to mention they are probably the #1 environmental hazards in the state. So, until you're ready to tear your house down & others, I'm not buying how much you care about the beauty of Otter Tail Co. Some people having a few cars in the yard has been common in this area & many others, for the 40 + years that I can remember. Usually trying to keep 1 or 2 running Because alot of us can't afford a new or even a good used vehicle. If you're on Lida, you're in the country & that's the way the country is. Leave it alone.
Posted by eagle_eye (anonymous) on May 29, 2008 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our family is involved in lots of demolition derby events, and we need to pick up and store appropriate vehicles when we find them, and also have "parts" vehicles on hand to replace whatever is needed. Five vehicles is NOT enough! We keep ours in a neat line on the back of our property, and it is not an eyesore. Actually, were it not for the fact that the glass has been removed, and some are dented, they'd look like daily drivers.
Posted by luvmyboys (anonymous) on May 29, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Eagle_eye makes a good point... because the cars are used and they are in a neat line in the back of their property. That's a different scenario.
I live in the country - beautiful green rolling hills and a few houses here and there. However, my neighbor closest to me has decided his FRONT yard is now his car cemetary, and they've also apparently decided to stop paying for garbage collection, because they have a spot the size of their house that is PILED with all their garbage bags. It's disgusting to see when you drive by. Those are the kinds of people that the county should go after. Not sure how they would decipher who's "legit" and who's not. ???
Posted by potatosup (anonymous) on May 29, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The state of MN already has permits required for junkyards. This would require more permits for businesses that are already spending too much time on red tape.
Posted by fergusfallsmom (anonymous) on June 2, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think cars are not the problem. What about just junk like old patio chairs, lawn mowers, items that need to be thrown but just are not disposed of. I can think of several homes around the area that have issues other than junk cars. I think that clutter is far worse.
Posted by Con1920 (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If a property owner wants to keep old cars, machinery, old lawnmowers, old lawn chairs, etc., he or she should put them on a part of the property where they will not be seen by the public driving by on streets and highways. If the owner doesn't want to hide it from public view, sell the cars and other items with metal or have the stuff hauled away. Just because people have stored junk for years does not make it right. It just makes that property a junk yard. I think the county should take action to solve the problem. A concerned citizen
Posted by quick (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to one of the 4 meetings on this ordinance. I didn't say any thing at the meeting because just about everything i wanted to say was felt and said by others at this meeting. something that everyone should know is this ordinance just doesnt cover cars and debris but sheds that need repair, farm machinery and alot of other things. people need to be aware of that. Granted there are some places that need to be cleaned up.But those should be handled on a one on one basis by town ship IF THERE IS COMPLAINTS ON IT!!! Its to bad our local government can be swayed by a group of rich old retires (visual chaos committee) that moved here to retire and are bored and have nothing better to do. this looks more like something that would happen in our us government. There was one lady that spoke up and said she moved here 40 years ago and pays alot of taxes, Well i guess if your living on a lake in multi-millon dollar homes i would have to hope you are paying alot of taxes!!! As for me i grew up on our family farm which has been in our family for 150+years,and every generation has worked very hard to survive and as far as im concerned that is what this county was built on NOT RICH RETIRES! so if you have a couple pieces of machinery and a few cars and trucks sitting aroun BIG DEAL!!! I hope our county commisioners can see through this chaos committee for what they are and do the right thing by rejecting this ordinance Thank you for your time!!
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