Neighbor and business clash over vehicle storage on Dickinson—s 900 block of First Street East; city hears enforcement concerns

A public hearing before the Dickinson City Commission drew residents, the auto-repair business and police to the dais as a neighbor pressed the city to enforce its zoning and nuisance rules for the 900 block of First Street East.

Attorney Sandra Coontz spoke for neighbor Anthony Kleinwachter and presented photos and videos she said documented nearly a decade of repeated, daily outdoor storage and vehicle-related deposits on the public right-of-way. Coontz cited the city—s supplemental commercial use regulations and told commissioners that "outdoor storage incidental to auto repair and body repair is permitted, provided such storage is completely screened as to not be visible from residential areas or public rights of way," adding that the code language "contemplates that you can—t be parking on the public right of way." She said her client had provided the city with hundreds of photos and videos and that the typical staff response to complaints"keep documenting"was inadequate.

Deputy Chief Hansen of the Dickinson Police Department told the commission that…