07/31/08 - Jackson
Think Before You
Park in Your Yard
By:
Lauren Linney
"I went to pull up
because I didn't want the sun to hurt my dash and
windshield and mess up the paint," says Anthony
Frye. After he parked his car in his own yard to get
it in the shade, a city of Jackson codes enforcement
officer paid him a visit and gave him a warning.
"Reason why I couldn't
do it...it was a law saying I had to be on asphalt
or concrete," says Frye. The law he is referring to
came into existence back in 1999, regarding the
parking and storing of vehicles. In section 202 of
the ordinance, it restricts storage on personal
property.
"On the residential property you are to park on a hard surface which could be a driveway or approved gravel drive something similar to that or on the street," says Coordinator of Department of Neighborhood Services Gary Hardee.
However, residents in the south Jackson neighborhood say they just don't understand. "If it's dry and it isn't going to hurt anything I can't see any complaint. Why would the city come out and tell you not to park on your own yard? That's just not American anymore," says a concerned citizen Leslie Horne.
Hardee explains, "My understanding is I think that basically came out of the engineering department because of erosion problems and just unsightly because if you put several vehicles in a front yard it can be unsightly."
"I can understand the one's they don't like that sits in the yard with weeds growing up. It's just not right. I can understand them stopping at their houses but if it's the car you drive everyday you ought to be able to park it anywhere you want to on your property," stresses Frye.
Residents found in violation of the vehicle storage ordinance can be cited in environmental court and can pay up to fifty dollars per day until the car is moved.