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County scraps junk ordinance
Scrap dealers, residents work together
Published Monday, August 11, 2008
Scrap dealers and area residents concerned with junk cars and other materials will be working jointly to address visual, safety and other issues. This comes about following the county’s board’s decision not to proceed with the establishment of a county-wide junkyard ordinance.
Commissioners said at their July 22 meeting that during four informational meetings, the public indicated strongly that these problems can be handled with the Visual Chaos Committee and the scrap dealers working together without an ordinance.
Informational meetings were previously held at Pelican Rapids, Parkers Prairie, Perham and Fergus Falls.
“We already have inspections from state and federal regulators, and I question why more is needed at the county level,” said Joel Kugler who owns a salvage business southeast of Pelican Rapids along Highway 22.
If the ordinance had been enacted, Kugler and other salvage operators would have needed to install fencing, at a minimum of eight feet, and adhere to other regulations. Fencing height requirements might have been more in certain situations.
At the same time, concerned citizens and county commissioners, while pondering the possibility of a junk car ordinance, cited visual, safety and other issues.
In many cases, abandoned cars have hazards such as battery acid and present dangers with children getting into car trunks. Abandoned refrigerators, with open doors, is another example of a possible safety hazard.
“There’s also the aesthetics issue,” said County Solid Waste Director Mike Hanan. “We have a nice county and want it to remain so.”
Junk yard, by definition, means an establishment, place of business or place of storage for the maintenance or operation of a salvage yard where the materials or discarded materials are stored. They were considered junk, under the proposed ordinance, if they are equal in volume to five or more motor vehicle units and which may be bought, sold, stored or exchanged or used for parts.
Also speaking earlier in opposition to the ordinance was Greg Kugler who operates Kugler Repair near Pelican Rapids.
“We have a lot of heavy equipment on our lot, from fall to spring, while we’re making repairs,” he said. “I’m basically in the business for repair, but should I be considered a junk yard?”
Speaking at the Fergus Falls informational meeting, David Loeks said it was the language of the proposed countywide ordinance that concerned him and many area residents.
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 ffrogg (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
but the couch someone threw into the ottertail river that floated downstream and is wedged up against the railroad bridge near the old flower mill in fergus falls should be removed as it is an eyesore. the most likely place it was thrown in is by the river inn, or maybe tossed off a bridge downtown. what kind of idiots would do that?
Posted by toad3 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you want to see junk go to the 900 block West Linden, corner house. It is disgusting!
Posted by richan (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
junk will be around as long as things are bought, then break or wear out and there is no affordable,accessible place to take these things. museums are full of junk from past generations. nevertheless, the need for controlling those wastes is essential. I recall some years back when salvage yards were required to install 8 foot or higher screen fence along State and Federal funded highways. there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the "intrusion of Government into private matters. but the fencing was installed. to the greater public benefit. the stacking of crushed car hulks while they await higher scrap prices is a truly ugly testament to our wasteful society. not to mention the loss of some very cool potential street rods. at the risk of great outcry, I call for the 8' fencing ordinance at the County level. Enjoy the Day.
Posted by goingfishing (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You may recall that the salvage yards along public highways had fences put up to hide the scrap, but do you also recall that the State paid for those fences? If you want a county regulation which would require fences because it was done in the past, then you should also want the county to pay for those fences. I can't afford to fence my area in at a cost of approximately $25 to $30 per foot but the taxpayers sure could afford it I'm sure.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is why I want to see the citywide clean-up week brought back.
We didn't have such a junk issue when we were allowed to get rid of it by just tossing it on the curb once a year.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally, If I'm going to be driving by a junkyard, I'd rather see what might be there, Then an 8' fence, wondering what's there. They're not much to look at either. These 8 foot fences hiding us from ourselves, would they be required for every place with a visible old piece of farm machinery? or every place with with 2 or more vehicle's sitting around? That wouldn't have a very good effect on the beauty of the country side. Maybe people should see there waste? "Out of sight, out of mind" Might be part of the problem.
Posted by Newshound (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This was pretty much a forgone vote. In my opinion the issue was very poorly managed. The language of the ordinance was not precise enough so affected parties knew where they stood.
The problem with pursuing an issue in a sloppy manner is that you make it much more difficult to acheive your goal on future attempts.
Sloppy.
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