For those who have, have had or want parts cars (LAC)

[Keith Lawyer]

I could really use your help.  My local county is proposing a land use
code which (among a million other things) has a restriction on "junk
vehicles" or parts cars.  I've had parts cars all my
life............when I was in college I picked up two Type 43s for $100
each to keep my daily driver Type 43 on the road, and it worked
wonderfully.  Even today I drive a 4k with mis-matched hood due to a
deer encounter; the hood and power steering pump bracketry from my 4k
parts car kept my current daily driver on the road.  And we also have a
parts car for my gf's daily driver 200.

I am asking you to help me by writing to my local county.  It will only
take a second and I would gladly do the same for any other automotive
enthusiast.  YOU NEED NOT LIVE IN MY AREA OR EVEN THE SAME STATE TO
COMMENT.

First, the proposed code reads {chapter 65-4(13)(b)(5)}:
"It shall be unlawful to store or otherwise have, maintain or allow on
a single parcel of land, or on contiguous parcels under common
ownership, more than one (1) non-farm vehicle not having current
Colorado license plates or registration unless the vehicle is: 
a)on an approved junkyard, auto repair garage, body shop, gas station
or other similar use where vehicle storage is permitted; or
b)at least 100 feet from a property line and screened pursuant to this
section so as not to be visible from adjacent properties and public
roads"

Points to consider:

1.	no definition of a "vehicle" is provided.  At what point does a
pile of parts become a vehicle?  Is a single pickup cab or lone frame a
vehicle which must be registered?

2.	mandatory vehicle registration appears to be an attempt at
increased tax revenue

3.	HOA's already in place and allow homeowners to police themselves
without the expense of county involvement (additional code enforcement
officers may be required, plus additional staff time to handle notices,
complaints, appeals etc)

4.	Planning Dept cannot say for certain if existing unregistered
vehicles will be exempt as "nonconformities" (grandfathered)

5.	low-income families and hobbyists use "parts cars" to maintain
daily drivers, this is a form of recycling

6.	100ft setback is excessive; in many cases buildings can be
erected within 10ft of property lines but unregistered motor vehicles
must be 100ft from property lines?

Entire code can be found at:
http://co.laplata.co.us, excerpt above comes from chapter
65-4(13)(b)(5)

Written comments can be sent to:  planning at co.laplata.co.us  or La
Plata County Community Development Dept, 1060 E 2nd Av, Durango CO
81301

You need not touch on all the points above, those are just some ideas
off the top of my head.  While I hope this thread won't degrade into an
argument over private property rights, I'm a firm believer in the rights
of property owners; if you wanna have parts cars or whatever, move to an
area which allows that (which I did).  If you want more control over
your neighborhood, move to an area which has an HOA (it seems to be
increasingly difficult to find anyplace that *isn't* governed by an HOA
anymore, at least in Colo).

And I realize that some listers may be in favor of such ordinances, and
may in fact write in favor of it; you're welcome to your opinion and I
can't stop you, but I also can't get help if I don't ask.

PLEASE consider taking a moment to help a fellow lister; and if you
ever pass thru SW Colo and need help, perhaps my parts cars will get you
going again :)  and my well-equipped shop is always open to listers.

Keith L