Problems, Solutions and Compromise on Code Enforcement

One by one, residents spoke up about stricter code ordinance ideas put together by Gulfport leaders. The evening consisted of examples, reasonable arguments, problems and solutions.

Gulfport City Manager Jim O'Reilly explained that the most common complaints or violations recorded are nuisance issues:

• high grass
• junk
• debris
• high weeds on alleyways
• non-operative or unlicensed vehicles

To better address these issues, the city put together ordinance suggestions and discussed them during an October Workshop. The following ideas were discussed:

• Prohibit non-operable/unregistered vehicles in front yards;
• Mandate trimming of landscaping (edging of curbs/street edge);
• Define and limit boats, trailers, RVs in front yards;
• Change debris special pickup order from 7 days to 3 days;
• Change residential trash location, i.e., place on side of house and out of view of street;
• Change where RVs can be stored;
• Define lawn furniture and prohibit all other furniture for outdoor use.

Leaders then decided to gather more public input at Tuesday night's Town Hall Meeting.

Limit Boats, Trailers, RVs in Front Yards

By far, the largest concern from the crowd was about RV, boat and trailer storage. One resident spoke up and said his lot size prevents him from storing anything in his back yard. He has a 37-foot RV that is parked nearly 10 feet from his home and 6 feet from the curb. A change in the ordinance would affect him, because he has no backyard.

John Miller also voiced concerns about mandating that people store RVs in backyards. "I have a corner lot. I have an RV, 34 foot long. 18 foot from the curb right now and I’m not in compliance. I just need a little bit of help on the setbacks, that’s all I need.”

Jimmy Vanino said it's disgraceful to tell him what to do with his boat. "Nobody has ever told me I can't park my boat in my front yard." He added that the change could be enough to make him move.

Variance Proposal

Bob Newcomb shared his idea of allowing variances for these situations. The crowd seemed to agree. Mumblings of "that's a good idea" could be heard. “We all want to solve the problems in the community as a whole. It would seem to me, that if we had a criteria for variance and the criteria would be public safety first. I think that would solve all the issues down the road.” Newcomb says he's seen the idea work before.

Mayor Mike Yakes liked the idea. "I believe it's the fairest way." Yakes says the city could utilize the Board of Adjustments to grant variances dealing with code enforcement and nuisances.

Debris Pick-Up Time Change

Other ideas discussed included the idea of changing debris special pick-up orders from 7 days to 3 days. Charlie Williams stood up and said there's no reason to change this. Janet Schaffer countered Williams' arguement, stating that she cares about how long trash is left on the curb.

"I take my trash in, I take my trash out. I resent people who keep their garbage (out) so long, that I called (the city) because there was a dead rat in front of one of the yards." Schaffer says she picks up everyone else's garbage, and she's "tired of calling the city."

Edging Curbs and Street Edges

Mark Grantham agrees that it's a good idea to have people edge their curbs for public safety reasons. He uses a cane to help him walk and says, "there are places in this city that I cannot walk."

No New Ordinances

Some don't want to see significant changes. "They just need to be brushed up," Ronald Joyce said of the current code and nuisance ordinances. "We don't need new codes, new laws. (People) knew what they bought into . . . this is a fishing (village)."

Lou Worthington said that city leaders should focus on their own "yard." Stating that the beach looks like a garbage dump and that people need to focus on cleaning up the city's waterfront, he said: "Let's make it look like it used to."

Learn More

To learn more about the ordinance suggestions by the city, check out the agenda packet from the October 18 City Council Workshop.