Board to address ordinance revisions
By Steve Herring
Published in News on December 19, 2016 9:57 AM
Wayne County commissioners Tuesday morning will hold work sessions on possible revisions to the county's mobile home park and abandoned and junk vehicle ordinances.
The sessions are a continuation of the board's goal to review existing ordinances.
Commissioners already have adopted a revised noise ordinance.
A working group of representatives was formed from the board, Planning Board, county staff and the public to review existing ordinances and make recommendations.
A public hearing has to be held prior adoption of any changes to an ordinance.
Tuesday's meeting will get under way with an 8 a.m. agenda briefing followed by the formal session at 9 a.m. Both will be held in the commissioners' meeting room on the fourth floor of the Wayne County Courthouse Annex.
The abandoned and junk vehicle ordinance was originally adopted on July 2, 2002. The mobile home park ordinance was last modified on Nov. 17, 2009.
Under the abandoned and junk vehicle ordinance the sheriff and the county enforcement officer are responsible for the administration and enforcement of the ordinance.
The sheriff is responsible for administering the removal and disposition of vehicles determined to be "abandoned" on public streets and highways within the county over which it has any authority, and on property owned by the county.
The county enforcement officer is responsible for administering the removal and disposition of "abandoned, nuisance or junked motor vehicles" located on private property, including private lots, recorded subdivision lots and mobile home parks.
Some of the proposed revisions include:
* Upon investigation after the receipt of two complaints in writing, the county enforcement officer may determine that a vehicle is an abandoned vehicle and order the vehicle removed.
* upon investigation, after the receipt of two written complaints, the county enforcement officer may order the removal of a junked motor vehicle as defined in this article after finding, in writing, that the aesthetic benefits of removing the vehicle outweigh the burdens imposed on the private property owner. Such findings shall be based on a balancing of the monetary loss of the apparent owner against the corresponding gain to the public by promoting or enhancing community, neighborhood or area appearance.
* junked motor vehicles, which are kept within buildings or fenced enclosures that prevent their view from outside of the property, are not to be removed without the consent of the owner of the property where they are being maintained or stored. Two junked motor vehicles may be covered by a cloth or plastic cover in good repair which has been specifically manufactured for the covering of vehicles and the vehicles so covered may not be removed without the consent of the owner of the property where it-is they are being maintained or stored.
* removal shall be completed within 14 days instead of seven days. Notice shall be affixed to the door of the residence or place of business.
* adds exemptions for unlicensed vehicles, antiques, vehicles listed for tax purposes and not constituting a nuisance.
Proposed change to the mobile home park ordinance include:
* increasing civil penalties for violation from $50 to $100 and changing the amount of time for payment from 10 to 30 days.
* removes requirement for permanent lot markers for 911 addressing standards since that already is handled with the addressing ordinance standards.
* adds a complaint procedure section regarding the requirement for two different complaints and discretion of official to issue written warning for non-compliance.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners will consider motions to:
* waive fees in environmental health for inspections of wells and septic systems damaged during Hurricane Matthew and subsequent flooding and building permit fees for permits secured by March 31 for work related to the storm and flooding.
* approve Spillman Technologies Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management System and Jail Management System for the Office of Emergency Services and Sheriff's Office.
Public comments will start at 9:15 a.m. Speakers will have four minutes to comment on their topic of choice.
Consent agenda items include: Application for Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exclusion and for Present Use Value; and budget amendments.