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Tunica supervisors press for stronger enforcement on fencing, junk vehicles and dilapidated mobile homes
Summary
Supervisors discussed a zoning amendment to require opaque screening or fences around commercial storage and to address longstanding junk cars and condemned mobile homes; planning and code enforcement staff described the notice and citation process and the board asked for ordinance language and planning commission review.
The Tunica County Board of Supervisors and planning staff discussed amendments to the county's zoning and screening rules and renewed calls to enforce junk-vehicle and dilapidated mobile-home standards across subdivisions.
The planning commission asked the board to issue a road-department order to demolish a property at 1040 Union; the board approved the demolition order. Planning staff and supervisors then turned to a proposed zoning amendment that would expand screening and fencing requirements for commercial properties and prohibit open storage of junk motor vehicles.
"The fenced area shall be sufficient to block passerby surrounding properties from viewing the fence area," read a planning-staff summary of the amendment, which adds language to section 8-30 of the county code for landscaping and screening requirements. The draft also would make it unlawful to store junk motor vehicles in open areas except at licensed repair garages or junkyards, and would allow fences or opaque barriers where commercial properties abut residential uses.
Planning and code-enforcement staff explained the county's current enforcement process: a written notice of violation is mailed and gives seven to eight days for correction; if uncorrected, a second notice is issued, and then a citation is filed in justice court. "Each day, if such a violation continues, shall be considered a separate offense after the 30 days from the date of written notification," a staff explanation of the ordinance said; the ordinance allows fines up to $500 per offense and/or jail up to 30 days.
Supervisors said the problem is widespread in subdivisions and trailer parks, where condemned mobile homes and long-stationary vehicles have accumulated. Board members urged staff and the planning commission to refine ordinance language and recommended that the planning commission review the screening/fence amendments and related enforcement language.
Attorney Perry said he would research whether the county can limit the number of operable vehicles on private property; he noted that laws differ for operable versus inoperable (dilapidated) vehicles. Planning staff said enforcement has proceeded through notices and, where needed, justice-court citations.
Ending: The board approved the demolition order for 1040 Union and directed staff to bring refined ordinance language to the planning commission for review and to return with enforcement options for both operable and inoperable vehicles.
