Posted by Dave from Michigan on September 13, 2000 at 21:57:48:
In Reply to: Legislative warning. Time is short. posted by Paul on September 12, 2000 at 11:56:26:
I see that zoning and the c**p that goes with it is spreading south. I was too young to vote when zoning was passed here, but I am 55 now and every year it gets a little worse. It's partly my fault, you see, as I spend too much time working on my old vehicles, as do most of us collectors. My neighbors who have few hobbies other than golf or showing off their boats or R.V.s get elected to the local boards and they decide what ordinances need to be passed "for the benefit of the community." Since old vehicle collectors are almost never in any of their groups, we are dismissed as a bunch of kooks who collect junk. One of their favorite terms is "eyesore" which is a subjective word that can be interpreted in any way to serve their purpose. When zoning was passed here in the mid 1960's, this township was sparsely populated and if I hid my parts cars in the woods or behind a fence there was no problem. The area has grown explosively in recent years and now we have more full time township officials, including a "code enforcement officer". The zoning ordinance has also been re-written several times, each time being more restrictive. We are now limited to one accessory building (garage included) and the township limits its square footage and height. Any vehicles outside must have current license plates and insurance and the code enforcement officer may, at his discretion, ask to hear them run. He may also go anywhere he wants to go on my property, if he suspects that there is a violation, to investigate. At that point I decided to move to a state where there is no zoning or code enforcement officers. It looks like Kentucky is where Michigan was in 1965, so you know what to look forward to in another 35 years. If enough of you get mad and make your feelings known, maybe you can get such ordinances squashed before they are passed. Areas that are growing rapidly (close to major cities) will probably have such laws passed, because the golfers far outnumber collectors. Dave in Michigan, but not for long