Residents’ complaints over Marble Falls nuisance ordinance prompts call for town hall meeting
MARBLE FALLS — A capacity crowd unhappy over proposed changes to property and nuisance rules gave the City Council an earful Aug. 21, prompting leaders to say more work needs to be done.
A town hall meeting will be scheduled prior to the Oct. 16 council meeting to hash out any differences.
No action was taken at the latest council meeting on the amended rules, which officials say are needed to address yard furniture, parking restrictions, high grass and other residential nuisances.
But many residents fear the rules will infringe on personal rights.
“Our front porches, our front yards are our pipeline to our neighbors,” said Denise Thornburg, a resident on Third Street. “We love our front yards. We love our porches, but now you’re telling me what I can have in my front yard.”
Council members suggested holding the town-hall meeting after noting a lack of communication between City Hall and the public has led to some of the conflict.
“In a way, we want the same things here, but we’re going about it in different ways,” Councilman John Packer said. “We have to figure it out together.”
“There’s an underlying issue of communication,” Councilman Richard Lewis said.
The goal is to clean up Marble Falls, officials added.
More than 40 people crammed into the Council Chambers and gathered in the hallway to listen and to raise concerns over the proposed amendments.
The council and city staff started working on the issue a year ago, City Manager Ralph Hendricks said.
But the proposals began drawing criticism in July from both residents and council members who felt an early version was too restrictive. During an Aug. 7 meeting, the council and staff revisited the issue, including modifying limits on the number of cars allowed in a driveway and dropping a requirement for paved driveways.
Several residents also took issue with information they said would require permits for private parties at their homes.
Hendricks countered there is no such rule.
Residents can look at copies of the proposed ordinance at City Hall, 800 Third St. It can also be viewed through the city’s website at www.ci.marble-falls.tx.us, going to the “City Council” tab on the left and clicking on “Agendas.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Aug. 25-26 River Cities Sunday Tribune