Commissioners tighten junkyard, vehicle ordinances
By DAVID LOWE Staff Writer

The Lampasas County Commissioners Court last week unanimously approved a redraft of the county's junkyard ordinance and voted 5-0 to pass an ordinance limiting the number of unregistered and inoperable vehicles property owners may keep.

The junkyard ordinance defines an "automotive wrecking and salvage yard" as an outdoor place where a person stores three or more vehicles to dismantle in order to remove parts -- either to sell or to use in the repair or rebuilding of automobiles. Owners or operators of wrecking and salvage yards are required to submit an application and pay a $25 annual licensing fee.

Junkyard owners may not expand or relocate their business without Commissioners Court approval and the submission of a new license application and fee.

The ordinance also requires junkyard owners to build a sixfoot high screen within three months of receiving a license if the business faces a residence or public road. Owners are prohibited from placing a junkyard within 50 feet of a residence or the right of way of a public street or state highway.

A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine between $100 and $500 for each day the violation continues.

Under the "junked vehicle ordinance" approved Monday, property owners commit a misdemeanor offense -- punishable by a fine up to $200 -- if they keep two or more junked vehicles in public view.

The ordinance defines a "junked vehicle" as one that lacks a valid license plate and inspection certificate; "and, is wrecked, dismantled or partially dis- mantled, or discarded;" or has been inoperable for more than 72 hours on public property or for 30 consecutive days on private property.

Exceptions include antique or special-interest vehicles kept on the collector's property, vehicles screened from view, those stored on private property by a licensed vehicle dealer or junkyard owner, and vehicles routinely operated exclusively on the farm or ranch.

Kempner resident Paul Cook said the county regulations will be stricter than state rules, as residents could be fined for leaving automobiles unregistered. Under state law, Cook said, automobile owners have to obtain a license plate and register their vehicle only if they plan to take it on a public road.

"I can have a brand-new Cadillac with no plates, and it comes under your definition" of a junked vehicle, Cook told commissioners.

Resident Tom Dahl said the county needs stricter verification procedures than those outlined in the ordinance to ensure that automobile owners who claim to be restoring old vehicles actually are doing restoration work.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Vincent said the first few months of implementing the ordinance may expose ways the document can be improved. The county needed to pass an ordinance, he said, as some property owners are keeping numerous inoperable vehicles -- in one case, more than 40.

"If we need to tweak it we can tweak it, but we need to get started," Vincent said of the rules.

In other business, commissioners voted unanimously to decrease the speed limit to 35 miles per hour for a 4.5-mile stretch of County Road 2200. The 35 mph limit will apply from the intersection of County Roads 2200, 2600 and 2800 north to the intersection of CR 2200 and Farm-to-Market Road 581.

The narrow road comes within one foot of private fences in several places, and its many twists and curves often force drivers to pull over so vehicles in the opposing lane may pass, said County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse. The speed limit will remain 45 mph from the intersection of CR 2200, 2600 and 2800 south to Lampasas.

In another item, the court voted 5-0 to allow Dick Lockett, justice of the peace for Precincts 2 and 3, to hire temporary help while a clerical worker takes an extended medical absence.

The court also unanimously accepted a $5,392 agreement with McQuay Air Conditioning Services of San Antonio to repair the heating and cooling system at the county courthouse. After completion of the repairs, commissioners will consider entering into an Assured Full Maintenance contract with the company which includes four inspections a year and covers the cost of parts and labor during regular working hours.

The agreement would cost $11,520 annually.

Also last week, the Commissioners Court tabled discussion of granting the city of Lampasas an overhead utility easement behind the county annex building. City Manager Michael Stoldt said the city needs about a 15-foot easement to move an electrical pole out of the Fourth Street right of way.

Although the Texas Department of Transportation will not fund Fourth Street drainage improvements this year, Stoldt said city officials hope the department will award the project at a future date. In order to make drainage improvements, electrical lines must be moved from the right of way, which city crews would do without charging the county, he said.

Commissioners said moving a pole from the corner of Fourth Street and the alley behind the annex would make more room for delivery trucks that drive behind the county building.

In other business, commissioners voted unanimously to allow the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce to use parking lots behind the annex on both sides of Elm Street for a barbecue cookoff during the Spring Ho Festival.

The court also approved an agreement with Lometa Independent School District and the city of Lometa for ballot preparation and voting equipment rental for May elections. No school board challengers have filed, therefore, no election will be held, but there are challengers for Lometa council seats.