Survey says city, not court, should resolve case
By Toni W. Terrett
Special to The Clarion-Ledger
Many Clinton residents would prefer a legal battle
over a family treehouse be resolved in the city's boardroom
and not the courtroom, according to a telephone survey.
A random survey of 350 residents indicated that 76 percent
would prefer the city resolve the issue through a special
exemption. The survey was conducted by Southern Research Group
of Jackson.
The ordeal began more than a year ago when city officials
noted zoning conflicts with an elaborate Victorian-style
treehouse in Scot and Mary Welch's front yard at 218 Kitchings
Drive.
The case is now headed to the Mississippi Supreme Court
after Clinton aldermen voted 5-2 to appeal a circuit judge's
ruling that the treehouse did not need to be torn down.
Alderman Clinton Brantley agrees with the 70 percent of
survey respondents who thought the city's actions were hurting
Clinton's image.
"I voted not to appeal because I felt like it had gone as
far as we needed to go," he said. "I feel the negative
publicity is causing problems for the city."
Alderman Tony Greer said he would have to see the survey to
make a determination, but stands firm in his opposition to the
treehouse.
"I support the city's position that the ordinance needs to
be enforced. There can be no special exceptions without
breaking our ordinance," he said.
The battle has frustrated the treehouse owners.
"I don't like the situation and how it makes Clinton look,"
said Mary Welch.
"It doesn't make any sense to us," said Scot Welch.
In the meetings leading to the litigation, Scot Welch said
the city "indicated they wanted us to keep the treehouse if
there was a legal way. The (circuit) judge found a legal way."
In light of the ruling, Welch said the city has not
adequately explained why they're appealing the ruling.
"The original complainer is still anonymous, so we probably
will never know what the problem was," Scot Welch said.
