Classic truck raises ire of Horseshoe Bay code enforcers
A Horseshoe Bay resident faces vehicle impoundment following a city code enforcement warning that accuses her of having an unregistered “junk vehicle” — a 1967 Chevrolet truck — parked in her driveway. Staff photo by Connie Swinney
STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY
HORSESHOE BAY — Kelly Davis admires classic vehicles, and the 1967 Chevrolet pickup that belongs to her mom is one of her favorites.
“I think it’s wonderful. She was an antique dealer, and it helped her with her business,” Davis said.
“He (Davis’ stepdad) gave her that as a gift 30 years ago. It’s in pristine condition,” she added. “It’s in my driveway. It runs, and she drives it.”
Despite her appreciation for the 50-year-old pickup, Horseshoe Bay code enforcement officers likened the vehicle to a junker.
On Sept. 12, Davis was tagged with a written warning accusing her of being in violation of Article 6.02 of the city’s Property Maintenance ordinance.
Under a listing of categories — everything from “Appliances stored outside” to “Garbage containers left out” — the code officer wrote an excerpt into the “other” category: “JUNK VEHICLE (PER CITY ORDINANCE) WHITE CHEV PICKUP.”
City officials said she received a seven-day warning not because they believe the pickup should be relegated to a scrap heap but rather they are trying to remedy a “safety” issue.
“We documented the violations. … That truck has been there a very long time,” said Horseshoe Bay Development Services Manager Eric Winter. “The code enforcement officer (indicated) that it had been there for months.
“They can’t drive a vehicle like that (without proof of registration) on the roadways,” Winter added.
Davis disputed the lack of registration allegation and has accused the city of selective code enforcement.
“It’s titled, registered. It’s a legitimate vehicle,” she said.
On Sept. 14, a dealership tag on the pickup showed an expiration date of Oct. 30, 2017.
“Because this truck is parked on Hi Circle North, and I’m not on the waterfront, I’m not considered high volume, high money,” Davis said.
City officials have rejected any accusations of “selective” enforcement and maintained that action is based on questions such as “how it is legally registered.”
“Aesthetics has nothing to do with it. … We treat everyone the same, whether they’re in Horseshoe Bay South, Horseshoe Bay proper, or Horseshoe Bay West,” Winter said. “There is no issue. We’re doing code enforcement for the benefit of the community.”
Davis believes the city should consider the pickup’s unexpired dealer tag status as well as its working condition.
“It’s kind of silly. There’s a fine line,” she said. “I shake my head and think, ‘You folks who are coming into Horseshoe Bay and trying to change the world? Just relax.’
“You don’t have to make things so rigid and complex,” she added.
City officials said they welcome opportunities to remedy residents’ concerns.
“They can’t drive a vehicle (without registration) on the roadways. The vehicle can be towed or a citation issued,” Winter said. “If there was a person there, and we can talk with them, we can work with them.”
21 thoughts on “Classic truck raises ire of Horseshoe Bay code enforcers”
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Why doesn’t she register the truck as a Classic Truck. Then noone can bother her about it. Especially if she does not drive it that often, it would be better to register it and also go to car shows. Ha. Back in your face HSB
Seriously HSB, I guess you have absolutely nothing better to do! Mr. Davis, you have completely made this up according to what you cited as the law (see below)!!!
REALLY: “Davis was tagged with a written warning accusing her of being in violation of Article 6.02 of the city’s Property Maintenance ordinance. “other” category: “JUNK VEHICLE (PER CITY ORDINANCE) WHITE CHEV PICKUP.”
I guess HSB code enforcement officer needs to go and read the ordinances he’s trying to enforce. First there is no “other” category in ANY part of Sec. 6.02. Sec. 6.02.005 Definitions reads as follows: “Junk. Worn out, worthless and discarded material, including odds and ends, old iron or other metal, glass, paper, bottles or cans.”
Here is the Texas Law governing:
Vehicles registered as “Antiques” are exempt from annual inspection. To see the restrictions on the use of antiques or to obtain more information on how to register your vehicle as “Antique”, visit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Vehicles registered as “Classic” are required to have an annual safety inspection. These types of vehicles are inspected like any passenger vehicle. Certain items of inspection, however, may or may not be required to be inspected, depending on the age of the car. (For example, seatbelts and anchorages are only required if the vehicle was originally manufactured with them.)
To anyone seeking the truth about Horse Shoe Bay South,the story about the (JUNKY TRUCK)is just the surface of a much larger problem.At its core is just good old gashion greed.Look into the archives of the local press back to the 70’s FUCH’S HOUSE HISTORY.Read and see the blacked out pages read the details about the original land topography,go to land records in Burnet and view the original Fuchs land surveys.Look at local real estate agents and agencies.Look for structures that have been condemned or are currently on the city’s docket to be condemned.Look at the tax records and property valuesbefore and after.The home owners must pay to have these structures torn down,the city will do it for 7000.00 on up.Property values after in are around 2000.00.Most folks walk away,but these properties already have water,sewage and electric from previous structures.Look at the streets and culdesacs in H.S.B.Southand most importantly the street sighns in the trailor park section.Compare them to the rest of H.S.B. Look at arrest records in south H.S.B.before 94 and after 98 up until now,cross reference with convictions.Them look for certain people who have been consistantly targeted for years.Look through articles in archives about property developement in south as well as rest of H.S.B.They have ran out of waterfront properties,but if you clear the natural springs and creeks the property owners and residents of the TIGER MILL area aka SOUTH H.S.B. Trailor park,are sitting on some very desirable properties with the potential of making millions.WHY NOT ROB IT FROM THE LOWER INCOME REDIDENTS OF HSB SOUTH?Easy peasy.Oh yeah,who decides what properties to condemn? Bet ya hes got a real estate liscence.They may be able to bully the South,and spread their propaganda some of its members and staff,but they cannot silence the truth.Some of our residents civil and constitutional rights have been violated.This is worth investigating.It’s only the tip of the iceberg.Peace
I suggest that HSB hire “code enforcers” with IQ above that of a potted plant. Or the ability to read AND UNDERSTAND the “ordinances” they THINK they are carrying out. To wit: From HSB “Code of ordinances”; A golf cart or a motor vehicle displaying a current registration and license plate with a length no greater than 22 feet, not inclusive of any truck tractor, bus, motor home, or other type vehicle containing sleeping facilities, may be left parked in a driveway.” I suggest the owner tell HSB code enforcers to go pound sand under threat of “official oppression” charges. BTW IANAL and this is not legal advice.
Seem not only horseshoe bay is getting that way but also the citys in burnet county….been in business for over 30 years in same location and city decided they dont want me thier and forced me out….if you want bs to be like california then thats where you need to be…leave me alone
What a pathetic use of manpower, a clear example of too much time on ones hands. It’s time to cut back on the payroll and get rid of the fat, literally, get rid of the fat!
If her mother has owned it for 30 years why does it have dealer tags?
The dealer tags exist because it is titled and registered to the delalership her husband owns. He gave this truck to her 30 years ago as a gift as the article states. Therefore, the truck is legally tagged and legally registered to drive daily or casually.
I can’t believe Eric Winters is still down running HSB. You can’t beat Eric because he is never wrong. Haha He wants everything his way maybe HSB should get some new blood and change some of their stupid policies. It’s bad enough to own property there but sure glad I don’t reside there. Now your grass is snother tpolicy they enforce on you but they don’t pursue it if it’s owned by the center. Trade him in , sounds like he has his police officers certificate the way he knows the law. U Go Girl!
HSB police dpt is a joke. Pull u over for breathing! And yes they do pick and choose who they mess with. They need to chill out. One of these days there gun na take it to far and the city is gun na pay for it.
I just seen this truck today while dropping my son off at work. That offends me that they call that truck junk!!!! That truck is worth more the way it sits than a restored Corvette. What’s next are they going to try to get all the cars out of there unless it’s a BMW or Mercedes
The vehicle is in excellent body condition, registered, licensed, inspected and has tags, what is the problem, someone jealous?
“Aesthetics has nothing to do with it. … We treat everyone the same, whether they’re in Horseshoe Bay South, Horseshoe Bay proper, or Horseshoe Bay West,” Winter said. “There is no issue. We’re doing code enforcement for the benefit of the community.”
False statement , if you havent noticed that the hsb police department discriminates based on what your financial profile “fits” then your not looking.
That comment by HSB police is really inaccurate. They pick and choose what law they feel like enforcing at any given time. I gladly don’t live in HSB but I do work there every single day. The only cars I’ve ever seen pulled over are the ones that cost less 100,000 dollars. I feel sorry for the folks who struggle at all to live there. Because the community seems to make it harder then.
It wasn’t police. It was code enforcement that ticketed and commented.
If a vehicle is on concrete blocks, I understand. If an old refrigerator or washer rots away next to the driveway under a rotting tarp, I understand. If a vehicle is being used as a defacto storage room for other junk, I understand.
If a classic truck in great condition is sitting there and occasionally driven, what’s the issue?
How many folks in Horsesjoe Bay have multiple vehicles? How many have classics? I have a friend whose neighbor has a beautiful Model A. Perhaps he should scrap it.
Horseshoe Bay is a joke. Go move to Dallas with that BS.
Gosh. I live on that street and hadn’t even noticed! As a long -long time resident, I too think we have become too “big city”.
So, the car is ‘pristine’, is inspected and registered properly? My take it then that a bunch of Californians are running Horseshoe Bay these days? Geez, take a chill bureaucrats.
BS… Horseshoe is too rigid…. !!!
Horseshoe Bayers is as Horseshoe Bayers do.