Time limits may be placed on Catoosa yard sales
By Randall Franks
Tuesday September 4, 2007 2:01:49pm


Yard sales that seem to go on forever may soon be a thing of the past in Catoosa County.

Catoosa County Board of Commissioners is considering a measure that will limit yard sales to once every three months for no more than 72 hours each sale.

Commissioners are still haggling over an amendment to the zoning ordinance.

Commissioner Bobby Winters said he is concerned that the limitation might excessively affect the poor in the community who look to yard sales as a way to make extra money.

“I’d like to understand more about the amendment,” he said after voting against a motion to approve at a Sept. 4 meeting. “I am talking about the regular homeowners. I am wanting to know what we are fixing to do to them.”

Commissioner Ken Marks, who also voted against, said the requirement is a little stiff.

“I’d like to see them be able to have yard sales at least once a month,” he said.

After Marks and Winters voted against, commissioners unanimously agreed to delay the yard sale issue for more consideration.

Chairman Bill Clark said he favored the initial proposed time limit.

“What we are trying to do is prevent ones that are continuous,” noted Commissioner Dewayne Hill.

Another part of the amendment completely outlaws flea markets of any type within Catoosa County.


The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a meeting Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Governmental Building at 800 Lafayette Street in Ringgold. For more information, call (706) 965-2500.


According to Donald Brown of Catoosa County Planning and Zoning, offenders who exceed the proposed minimum number of hours or have a yard sale more than once a quarter will initially receive a warning citation. If the individual repeats the offense, the county will cite the person to Magistrate Court.

According to Judge Anthony Peters of the Catoosa County Magistrate Court, unless commissioners establish some special penalties, violators could face up to 12 months in jail or up to a $1,000 fine. These are the sentencing standards prescribed for most zoning ordinance cases, he said.

“The likelihood (of that type of sentence) is very slim,” he said. “I am a strong believer in alternative sentencing.”

Peters said community service could be an alternative.

In other business Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the Governmental Building the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to:

* Approve a zoning ordinance amendment requiring a special use permit to install cell towers.

* Approve a zoning ordinance amendment adjusting parameters of agricultural, A-1, zoning with the major change raising the minimum lot size from one acre to three acres. This also requires a special use permit for sawmills, indoor and outdoor firing ranges, ultra-light landing strips and airports.

* Approve an amendment in the land subdivision ordinance creating a conservation subdivision. According to Catoosa County Attorney Chad Young, the conservation subdivision is one in which the developer donates 50 percent of the property to greenspace and thus will be able to build on smaller lot sizes in clusters.

* Approve an amendment in the land subdivision ordinance eliminating an exemption from subdivision requirements for casual sale and family exemption. Family exemption previously allowed the transfer of land between family members without following certain requirements of the subdivision ordinance.

* Approve an amendment to the special use section of the zoning ordinance adding new items that now require a permit (mentioned above).

* Approve an equipment maintenance agreement for the administration building.

* Appoint Jane Frye as safety coordinator and substance abuse officer.

* Appoint Commissioner Marks to vote on behalf of the county in the upcoming Catoosa County Utility District election.

* Appoint Mike Helton to the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center board.

* Approve an annual salary for interim County Manager Mike Helton of $70,000.






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godawgs
Comments: 2
Joined: 09/06/2007
09/06/2007 01:09:05 PM
I'm not for bigger govenment but I understand and see the issue. There a lot of places around Catoosa county that has yard sale stuff in the yard for over a few months... 151, Graysville, etc...

They already have clean up laws in the City of Ringgold which helps make land owners clean up property..
 
maggie
Comments: 1420
Joined: 01/08/2006
09/06/2007 08:46:22 AM
I am pretty sure I know why this has even come up. On the Alabama Highway, not far from where Clark lives is a group of trailers and one of them has a perpetual yard sale, or at least that is what it appears to be. There is always a table out front and stuff on it. Personally, I too get tired of seeing it, but I don't think an ordinance punishing everyone is the answer. If the county wants to make an ordinance stating that yard sale items cannot be left out indefinitely then I would be on board with that, but if they are going to do that, then they also need to address property where junk vehicles are collecting rust. There is land on Hamill Hollow Rd. right next to a subdivison, where there are at least 10 old rusted vehicles. You don't notice them so much in the summer time, but in the winter you sure do. Also, if they are so concerned about the way our county looks, then perhaps they need to have the sides of the roads mowed and picked up more often, especially the exits off the interstate and along 41 Highway as you come into Ringgold. Furthermore if Bill Clark is so offended by the area on the Alabama Highway close to his home, then he should just offer to buy these people out. Road frontage is quite valuable and these people could afford to buy a house somewhere and maybe not have to depend on trying to sale stuff to make a living.
 
please
Comments: 127
Joined: 08/17/2007
09/06/2007 07:31:16 AM
My problem was hypothetical. It's just ridiculous to put the 72 hour limit. Yes, if my mother were dead or dying, I would leave my stuff out before I went to her side. Sorry, your mother doesn't have that respect from you. It probably wouldn't take a week to get back to clean up the yard - my point was things come up and it might be 4 or 5 days - and the "other arrest" might be for a DUI, unless I'm a judge in which case that wouldn't matter. I think putting someone in jail for ONE time leaving yard sale items out over 72 hours is looking for a way to ruin lives. If it's every week - then obviously that is a business and deserves no excuse. I am asking about the one time event. I might even get hurt when the traffic gathers in for my yard sale and not be able to to get my stuff put up for 4 days, rather than 3. Do you really think that is an offense deserving a year in jail? A guy runs me over in my yard, and I'm in the hospital for 4 days, and then when I get out, I go to jail because me stuff is out too long. Dumb rule, and that's my final answer.
 
ringgoldone
Comments: 574
Joined: 07/24/2006
09/06/2007 05:58:02 AM
I think our current ordinances deal effectively with junk in a neighbor's yard. And if it causes us great consternation that our neighbors have multiple yard sales, then we really don't have much of a life (like King Clark).

If this passes, all interested households and subdivisions (especially those near King Clark's domicile) need to agree upon a date and have their yard sales at the same time - for the full 72 hours! Imagine it - it could rival the hwy 27 yard sale. Catoosa County could become the yard sale capital of the world!

All thanks to the vision and wisdom of our benevolent leader, King Clark. We can't stop the meth problem or violence in our schools, but you had better bet we know how to put the thumb down on yard sale violaters.
 
Buster
Comments: 1
Joined: 09/05/2007
09/05/2007 10:32:58 PM
I'm not opposed to yard sales every weekend at a neighbor's home, but I don't want it every day or every weekend of every month either! I may as well be next door to a junk store! There's more than one perspective, so I hope this clarifies my point that I am NOT OPPOSED to your lifestyle, but I oppose its effect on me. This is nothing personal. I don't want to see junk cards in yards, either .. or junk boats, or just plain junk. I don't have a problem with an old car that you are rebuilding or planning to. But these usually aren't sitting in the middle of the yard becoming grass killer!

 
fluffy
Comments: 2
Joined: 09/05/2007
09/05/2007 08:38:43 PM
C'mon Please, You can "what if" all day long. Are you really telling me that if you found out you had a death in the family in the middle of your yardsale you would leave your belongings on your front lawn for a week? You couldn't take 15 minutes to throw your stuff in some boxes and put it back in your garage, basement or whereever? Or have some friends or neighbors who could help you out? I'd much rather help my neighbors pack up their stuff than have it in their yard for a week. And if you have a prior record for a previous yardsale offense, I would think it's pretty odd to have yet another "emergency" while you're having a yardsale. Sounds like an excuse from someone who likes to say "but it's not my fault" when they break the law.

I don't think this ordinance is meant for the average yardsaler who has an emergency come up. They're talking about the people who leave the same junk out constantly and effect the apearance of our community. I happen to love yardsales, and don't have a problem with anyone having as many as they want, but they should clean up during the week out of sight (shed, basement, garage, whatever) I'm not in favor of a bunch of restrictive ordinances, but I don't think it would be necessary if people would have some consideration for others and take pride in their community's appearance.
 
please
Comments: 127
Joined: 08/17/2007
09/05/2007 04:01:49 PM
What is I put out my stuff on Friday, have a death in the family on Saturday, and can't pick up my stuff for a week. I go to jail for a year? No, I just pay the fine - that is what it is all about anyway. But, just suppose you have someone with a prior record, and this is the second time they get arrested? Then, they DO go to jail for a year. We will waste tax dollars paying to prosecute, probably defend, and then house and feed them for a year. Sounds like a perfect plan to me!

What an embarrassment to the county! Imagine this conversation: What was your crime, sir? "Well, I had this yard sale, and then my mother died and because I wanted to attend her funeral instead of cleaning up my yard, the State of Georgia put me in jail for a year"
 
maggie
Comments: 1420
Joined: 01/08/2006
09/05/2007 02:09:42 PM
Some good ideas Romegasir, on this you and I are in total agreement!!!!!
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
09/05/2007 09:14:18 AM
What if you have a yard sale Friday and Sunday but it rains all day saturday. Do you have to wait three months to get the saturday? What if it's not a "yard sale" but a give away of property with the owner asking for suggested donations for each item and the owner has the ability to negate any transaction? What about retired folks who enjoy going to the larger flea markets such as collinsville and then bringing home their wares to sell at a profit for a little extra income?
Build a coalition of people willing to vote out any commissioners that vote for the ordinance AND even if it gets approved, vote them out like you said you would, but maintain and BUILD the coalition of voters......have someone challenge the ordinance by violating it, and when the case goes to magistrate court, let the judge know that the same coalition will vote against him if any punishment is given. Heck, have the entire coalition agree to having a yard sale every six weeks and let em try to charge all of you.

 
maggie
Comments: 1420
Joined: 01/08/2006
09/05/2007 08:30:50 AM
You are so right jrkenn. Ringgold4, did you read the entire proposed ordinance. I can see where someone really shouldn't be allowed to set up a table full of stuff and leave it in their front yard for an eternity, but then again it is their property. I think anyone should be allowed to have a yard sale any time they want to, leave it to individual neighborhoods if they want to restrict them or not. Did you also read they want to ban flea markets of any kind? There is already an existing flea market off Cloud Springs Rd. and there may be others. What is wrong with flea markets? They bring in business, tax dollars, and there are many of them across the country which are very nice and draw thousands and thousands of people. I think it is called free enterprise. Last time I checked this was still a free country and a democracy. Furthermore, who is going to go around all over Catoosa County to see if someone is violating this ordiance? I think our police officers have more important issues to handle. Come on Catoosa County stand up for our rights, before Bill Clark does away with all of them. Commisioners, you are elected by the people and you won't be re-elected if you don't put a stop to his rediculous plans to control everyone and everything in this county.
 
jrkenn
Comments: 9
Joined: 05/08/2007
09/05/2007 06:51:00 AM
SOCIALISM, SOCIALISM, SOCIALISM

Mr. Adolf Clark and his little SS need to go read a copy of the Declaration of Independance.
I think this is America not NATZI Germany or the old USSR.
 
Ringgold4
Comments: 1
Joined: 09/04/2007
09/04/2007 07:24:27 PM
I think this is great. The city homes should not be able to have 24/7 yard sales with signs that state otherwise. This should have to be cleaned up on a daily basis, and not moved to the porch, as in some cases...
 
ringgoldone
Comments: 574
Joined: 07/24/2006
09/04/2007 04:22:43 PM
I think I get it now. If King Clark doesn't like something, then he gets his little group to support a change to the zoning ordinances to make it go away.

The man needs to go get a life - somewhere else!
 
maggie
Comments: 1420
Joined: 01/08/2006
09/04/2007 02:46:15 PM
Why don't they just pass an ordinance zoning people right out of Catoosa County, so they can live in their little kingdom!!!!!!!!!!!
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