News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new Livingston ordinance regulating city junkyards passed the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday.
Envision Livingston member Ray Evans said the ordinance is the final part of the city’s property maintenance regulations.
“Basically it talks about maintaining and it talks about screening junkyards from public view,” Evans said. “It talks about maintaining junkyards in a cleanly manner so there’s not water-ponding in areas, mosquitos, and just those sort of things in general.”
The ordinance uses the state’s description of a junkyard to define those within the city. The State defines a junkyard as an establishment or place of business used for storing, buying, and selling junked vehicles and parts.
Evans said the ordinance would only apply to any new junkyards that open after the ordinance becomes official.
“If they are existing today, they are grandfathered in. Even if they are in violation, they don’t have to do anything as long as they fully meet the criteria,” Evans said. “As such, though, they can’t enlarge. So whatever size they are is the size they can be. They can get smaller, but they can’t get any larger.”
The aldermen voted 4-2 in favor of the ordinance, with Ronald Dishman and David Langford deciding against the proposal. Dishman spoke out against the ordinance and other property maintenance regulations prior to the vote.
“I’m a ‘no’ on this because we’re telling our taxpayers and citizens what to do and what they can’t do with their property,” Dishman said. “I’ve said that [and] I’ve been against it. I think it’s wrong and it’s entirely wrong, and it’s sad too. I just want the taxpayers that I stand for to know that.”
Livingston’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen will host a public hearing on the ordinance Monday, June 3rd at city hall prior to the 6 p.m. board meeting. The second reading of the ordinance will take place immediately after the public hearing.
