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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Aldermen table furniture ordinance
Board holds first hearing on sidewalk ordinance
Aubra Whitten
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: News
The Starkville Board of Aldermen met Tuesday for a second public hearing over a proposed city ordinance which would ban couches and other indoor furniture from porches and yards. The ordinance also addresses garage and yard sales, outdoor storage structures, firewood storage and clotheslines.
Additionally, the board held the first public hearing for a proposed sidewalk ordinance and voted to deny the rezoning of a Ward 3 area southeast of the intersection of Yellow Jacket and Eckford Drives.
The furniture ordinance, proposed by the Mayor's Beautification Committee, includes standards for outdoor furniture and regulations for outside storage facilities and garage sale limitations. In accordance with the proposal, porches with indoor furniture would have to be screened in and have a locking door. Garage sale permits would be issued to citizens, with garage sales lasting no longer than four days. Additionally, no more than two signs promoting the sale could be posted. Firewood would have to be stacked neatly and put out sight, and clotheslines could not be visible from any area of the neighboring street.
While City Planner Ben Griffith said the ordinance's intent is to beautify the city, several citizens disagreed with some of the ordinance's specifications, including MSU student Ry Lewis. A senior electrical engineering major, Lewis said he lives on University Drive in the Cotton District in a house with a porch containing two couches, two love seats and an end table. Under the proposed ordinance, all indoor furniture - like love seats, couches and end tables - would not be allowed on porches or in yards.
Lewis said studies show couches and other porch furniture do not prove to be fire hazards; additionally, having furniture on porches encourages people to stay outside, thus keeping a lookout around the neighborhood.
Lewis, who passed out packets with photos of furniture-covered porches to the aldermen, said his porch is an enjoyable gathering place for both he and his friends daily.
Additionally, the board held the first public hearing for a proposed sidewalk ordinance and voted to deny the rezoning of a Ward 3 area southeast of the intersection of Yellow Jacket and Eckford Drives.
The furniture ordinance, proposed by the Mayor's Beautification Committee, includes standards for outdoor furniture and regulations for outside storage facilities and garage sale limitations. In accordance with the proposal, porches with indoor furniture would have to be screened in and have a locking door. Garage sale permits would be issued to citizens, with garage sales lasting no longer than four days. Additionally, no more than two signs promoting the sale could be posted. Firewood would have to be stacked neatly and put out sight, and clotheslines could not be visible from any area of the neighboring street.
While City Planner Ben Griffith said the ordinance's intent is to beautify the city, several citizens disagreed with some of the ordinance's specifications, including MSU student Ry Lewis. A senior electrical engineering major, Lewis said he lives on University Drive in the Cotton District in a house with a porch containing two couches, two love seats and an end table. Under the proposed ordinance, all indoor furniture - like love seats, couches and end tables - would not be allowed on porches or in yards.
Lewis said studies show couches and other porch furniture do not prove to be fire hazards; additionally, having furniture on porches encourages people to stay outside, thus keeping a lookout around the neighborhood.
Lewis, who passed out packets with photos of furniture-covered porches to the aldermen, said his porch is an enjoyable gathering place for both he and his friends daily.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Liza
posted 4/24/09 @ 4:21 PM CST
I love Ry's porch, and while couches on lawns might look "trashy," it's honestly none of their business what someone does on their own property. i don't believe that the city of starkville really care if someone has a couch on their porch. (Continued…)
Rob
posted 4/24/09 @ 7:20 PM CST
I wonder if this was tabled until such a time that there are few students around. Christmas Break, immediately after finals, etc. Students need to keep an eye on this one, It wouldn't surprise me to see the board try to sneak it in at a less publicized time. (Continued…)
resident
posted 4/27/09 @ 3:38 PM CST
I am a resident who does not have furniture outside, but I believe if it is private property that the furniture, yard sale, clothes line, etc. is on, than the city needs to stay out of it. (Continued…)
Meredith
posted 4/27/09 @ 8:50 PM CST
Although the thought of sitting on a couch that has been left outside, exposed to pollen, humidity, the occasional squirrel, etc., makes me cringe, the local government doesn't have a leg to stand on when it wants to impose aesthetic standards on private residences. (Continued…)
Quinn
posted 4/28/09 @ 11:09 AM CST
This is just one more step in a government's intrusion into and on our individual rights.
Is not this still America?
Rob is right to be concerned about an ordinance being enacted during the Summer. (Continued…)
Canton Colonel
posted 5/19/09 @ 3:02 PM CST
Starkville, you had better get a handle on this ASAP or you will wind up looking like South Jackson.
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