City delays ordinance changes after protests

August 21, 2012, 10:00 pm by Adam Troxtell

Marble Falls City Council has decided to continue a decision on proposed property and nuisance ordinance amendments to a later date after facing stern opposition from residents.

City staff have been working on amendments, which will be presented to council again on Oct. 16, for over a year. The changes restrict the amount of service and recreation vehicles parked at homes, the ability to store outdoor furniture on the front yards of homes, and lawn maintenance.

Before a public hearing and council consideration, City Manager Ralph Hendricks gave a presentation highlighting the changes that have been made to the set of amendments over the course of 12 months. He also said the section requiring an improved surface for residential parking has been dropped.

Dozens of citizens filled council chambers Tuesday night to the point of lining up out the door, and spoke strongly of their concern over the ordinance amendments. They said the changes violate their rights as property owners. Some of them spoke directly to council, including former mayor Richard Westerman.

"I guess I just have a problem anytime government infringes on our liberties,” Westerman said followed by applause from gathered residents. "But, you have answered most of my questions [in the presentation.]”

Mayor George Russell, Hendricks, and council members reiterated that the purpose of the ordinance changes was to work with residents to maintain the cleanliness of the city.

For the full story, see Friday's Highlander.

Reader Comments

Mayor Russell,Hendricks and council members reiterated that ( the purpose of the ordinance changes was to work with residents to maintain the cleanliness of the city). And if the residents don,t work with in an ordinance what happens. Fines and/or fees.this was not about cleaning up the city. It was about creating more revenue.. I think the current mayor needs to be replaced with a former Mayor and maybe a few council members need to go as well.And the staff needs to quit spending time on these anti liberty type ordinances..
August 22, 2012, 10:04am by Roy

I agree with Roy. The city staff and mayor are looking for any kind of fee or fine to pay for all the usless items on their wish list. Three story office palace and high maintenance sports complex/black hole included.
August 22, 2012, 4:13pm by Getitright

Without some penalty, these ordinances can't be enforced. It's ignorant to believe the city's just looking for revenue. If you don't want to live in a city with people who don't want to live like pigs, then don't live in a city. Your absolute liberty may absolutely take away your neighbor's liberty.
August 22, 2012, 10:28pm by A Reader

Letter To Editor- OPINION, over the last year I have read all the local news about how our local government agencies are slowly trying to make new restrictions, new ordinances, new local laws that try to restrict home & business owners. We move here from California just because we thought that here in Texas people were of the nature if there was a problem they would address it civilly and actually take out the problem. What we are finding out is inch by inch it seems that the local authorities are trying to impose more and more rules, restrictions & laws on all of us here in Texas! Last night I read the minutes from the June MF city council meeting (all 37 pages) and I felt we were back in California with what is going on! I want a clean city, and nicely kept area where home owners are proud of the property and it doesn’t create eye sores to the rest of us, BUT for GOD’s sake, Please stop with the insanity of making a new law or rule or ordinance that imposes on all of us! If there are problems, let the public know, talk to those people who the city actually thinks should do something about the so called problem area and address it on a one-to-one basis! It seems that MF and other local towns now are just trying to impose the “Power Trip” of many newly elected officials, and that is not what I expect from the people here in Texas! We are supposed to be known for our hospitality, friendship, willingness to work together and our community orientated services! From where I stand people who are doing this will have a very short time in office because the good Texans will see that they are being lead down the path of more rules & regulations by those elected officials and will vote them out! Let’s try hard to keep Texas what it should be.
August 23, 2012, 12:48pm by Ken Dreger