Junk cars and trailers are not permitted on Mount Vernon city streets or private property, prompting city code enforcement officials to urge the city council to revise its ordinance regarding these vehicles.
"Front yard, backyard, if you can see it, it's a problem. It attracts rodents, it rots, it collects rust, it leaks fluids. It's just an eyesore," Assistant City Inspector Brian Marvin said during a video of the city council's July 14 meeting.
Marvin said that when he began his role with the city several months ago, he observed numerous vehicles scattered across the streets, yards, backyards, and abandoned in alleys. He initiated efforts to address this issue by contacting residents and sending letters instructing them to remove any inoperable vehicles. However, he encountered challenges within the existing ordinance.
The proposed ordinance changes would extend the time residents have to respond to requests for vehicle removal and clarify procedures. The changes would also prohibit parking any vehicle in a front yard. Marvin noted that one of the most frequent complaints involves property owners objecting to neighbors parking vehicles in their front yards.
The current ordinance permits residents to work on a vehicle in their backyard behind a fence.
Marvin reported that 55 vehicles have been voluntarily removed by their owners so far. Additionally, 13 owners were unaware of registration requirements and will now register their vehicles. Nine cars have been cleared from alleys, backyards, and front yards. There are 22 pending cases with 14 more letters set to be delivered. Land Use and Development Committee Chair Amber Keener has called for another committee meeting at the next city council session for further discussion of the ordinance following its first reading on Monday.
