City of Clinton Government
 Violates City Ordinances
 While going after Treehouse
The City of Clinton government violates their own ordinance by "maintaining" a hodge podge of unsightly, dilapidated accessory buildings in the historically zoned "Old Town Clinton District."  The buildings definitely qualify as accessory buildings, structures and uses.

This area, maintained by the city, is surrounded by residential, historic homes.  This area has certainly eroded the surrounding property values.  It is unsafe and unkempt.  There are old tires and metal rims outside of the fence, filled with water and mosquitoes, and dangerous to young children.
Dilapidated accessory structure in full view from front of street.
How ironic, "History Pride Progress" displayed prominently inside this junk yard.
Old signs, barrels, and trash in the front yard and in full view of the street.
This accessory structure within a few feet of the street violates setback requirements.
Old tires outside of the fence present a health hazard.
Another accessory structure that violates setback laws.  It does not match the main building which is a violation of 401.5 of the ordinance.
These old tires, outside of the fence pose a safety hazard to children.  The tires are filled with water and mosquito larvae.
The old wheels could cut or trip children.  Storing tires in this manner violates local dumping laws.
There are even tires thrown on the other side.  Remember, this property is maintained by the City of Clinton.  The dumpster behind the truck is supposed to be surrounded by solid fencing.  406.6 Failure to maintain such garbage disposal facilities in a neat and sanitary manner shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance and be subject to the penalties imposed herein.
These tires, across the street in a ditch, have obviously been here a long time.
The No Dumping and Public Hearing signs are very ironic.
Rats were seen running around the old pallets stored next to another dilapidated accessory building that violates city ordinances.
Again, another accessory building that violates all of the rules.  No building like this should even exist in a historic district.
Here is the main public Works building.  The front of this building violates setback requirements.
Are barbecue grills appropriate front yard, accessory uses?  How about the buckets collecting water and mosquitoes.
This is the view from Main.  Isn't that an accessory building in full view from all sides?  This view can be seen from City Hall!  Chain link fence is not allowed in the front yard of any district.
This beautiful, historic home is within feet of the city blight.
This home is right in front of the main building and in full view of the junk yard from the front yard.
These residents have a full view of the city's junk area from their backyard.  Note the location of the water tower which is part of the junk area.
These houses are on Leake street.  The junk area is around the corner.
Here is the street leading to the city "junk area."  The sign in the distance says, "Bump"; but "Dump" would be more appropriate.
According to the ordinance, any business or facility is required to provide adequate "off street" parking for its employees.
You can see the tires dumped outside of the Clinton Public Works area from this beautiful, historic district house.
The windows of this home are in full view of the city "junk area."
This view is the front of the red bricked home shown in the picture below.  Their backyard, shown below, is in full view of the city "junk area."
Here is the view of the red bricked home's backyard.
Here is Mississippi College's Hilltop Theatre.  Notice the water tower.  It marks the location of the city's junk yard.
Hilltop Theatre sign within feet of the city's dump!
Ordinance Violations
Areas highlighted below mark obvious violations observed in the pictures.
ARTICLE XIV: OLDE TOWNE CLINTON DISTRICT (OTC)
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SECTION 1400 - PURPOSE OF THIS DISTRICT 
In accordance with the adopted Goals and Objectives element of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Clinton, the purposes of this district are: (1) to preserve the character of Olde Towne Clinton by preventing the location of inappropriate land uses and by prohibiting incompatible architectural design in that area; and (2) to promote the development of Olde Towne Clinton as one of the major focal points of community life. 

This district is intended to encourage the development of selected commercial activities that are compatible with historic structures, single-family detached residences and public/quasi-public sector uses. Uses first permitted in C-2 General Commercial districts, C-3 Major Thoroughfares Commercial districts,
401.05 Accessory Buildings or Uses: (Adopted March 7, 2002)

a) Accessory buildings or uses are PROHIBITED in the front yard and side yard of ANY district.
b) Accessory buildings or uses may be placed in the required rear yard of any main building or use in ANY district, provided that the accessory building or use is at least ten (10) feet from the rear property line and at least eight (8) from the side property line.
c) Accessory buildings shall not cover more than ten percent (10%) of the rear yard in ANY district.
d) Accessory buildings shall not exceed a height of twelve (12) feet, unless a greater height is approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
e) Exterior and materials of the accessory buildings or uses shall be compatible with the surrounding structures, unless accessory building is screened by solid fencing as to not be visible from the street or any sides.
SECTION 1406 - FENCES IN THE OLDE TOWNE CLINTON DISTRICT 
Decorative fences (such as wrought iron or wooden picket) fences may be erected in the OTC district subject to approval by the Historic Preservation Commission. Such fences may be erected in the front, side or rear yards but may not exceed a height of four (4) feet. However, in accordance with Section 406.02, no fence shall be erected in such a manner as to impede the vision of motor vehicle operators entering a public street. Furthermore, the erection of a chain-link fence in the front yard of the OTC or any district is prohibited. 

SECTION 1303 - DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
1303.01 Maximum Building Height: 35 feet. 
1303.02 Minimum Lot Area: No minimum lot area is required. 
1303.03 Minimum Lot Width: No minimum lot width is required. 
1303.04 Minimum Yards: 
(a) Front yard: 40 feet. The first ten (10) feet inside this front yard setback (adjacent to the street right-of-way line) shall remain open except for entrance/ exit driveways and shall be landscaped in accordance with the landscape standards adopted by the City of Clinton; no parking shall be permitted in driveways. 
(b) Side yards and rear yards where NOT abutting a residential district: 10 feet. No landscaping shall be required in this 10 foot open area, and driveways may be constructed inside this setback. 
(c) Side yards and rear yards where abutting ANY residential district: 20 feet, which shall remain open and be landscaped in accordance with the standards adopted by the City of Clinton AND a six (6)-foot high fence constructed of brick or solid wood (board-to-board); said fence shall be maintained by the property owner and failure to maintain the fence in a reasonably satisfactory condition shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance. 


1303.05 Minimum Space between Buildings on the Same Lot: 
15 feet. No more than two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the space between such buildings shall be paved; the remaining area shall be landscaped in accordance with landscape standards adopted by the City of Clinton. 
406.06 Required Enclosure of Garbage Disposal Facilities: 
Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, all garbage disposal facilities (i.e., any container with a capacity of over 40 gallons) located on the site of existing (at the effective date of this Ordinance) or new multiple family residential uses, manufactured home parks, commercial, industrial or public/quasi-public uses shall be enclosed at least three sides by solid fencing or other material in a manner that prevents direct visibility of the garbage cans, dumpster, etc., from the street side (or sides) of such uses. Failure to maintain such garbage disposal facilities in a neat and sanitary manner shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance and be subject to the penalties imposed herein. All site plans for multiple family residential, manufactured home parks, commercial, industrial or public/quasi-public uses proposed following the effective date of this Ordinance shall indicate the location of garbage disposal facilities on the site and the type of enclosure (materials, height, etc.) to be installed.
2101.02 Schedule of Off-Street Parking Requirements:
For the purpose of this ordinance, an "off-street parking space" shall consist of a space sufficient in size to store one full size automobile (minimum of 200 square feet in area) with room for opening doors on both sides. When computing parking space requirements on the basis of the number of persons expected to be on the premises of a particular land use, the maximum number of occupants, practitioners, patrons or employees anticipated to be on the premises at any one time shall be used. 
Many more ordinances have been violated, so Read the city's ordinance yourself..  Warning: Please note that Section 401.5 of the ordinance provided on the city's official website is not current.  The old section 401.5 was deleted February 5, 2002 and a completely new section was adopted on March 7, 2002.
Hint: Use Ctrl-F to search for the Olde Towne District or any Commercial District, or garbage, 401.5, or other keywords.
The pictures were taken Saturday September 7, 2002