News Leawood humiliates itself - Page 4

FloridaMan88 · 06-21-2014, 10:11 AM

Leawood man faces citation for putting Little Free Library in his front yard

http://pvpost.com/2014/06/18/leawood...ont-yard-28711

A north Leawood man will have to decide today whether to remove a Little Free Library he recently installed in his front yard — or face a citation from the city.

Brian Collins, who lives near the intersection of 89th Street and Ensley Lane, installed a Little Free Library his father-in-law had given his wife for her birthday around three weeks ago. Collins went out of town for a few days last week, and when he arrived home, he found a letter from the city’s codes enforcement officer informing him that the Little Free Library was not permitted under city code because it was a “detached structure” and that he had until June 19 to come into compliance.

“Your take a book leave a book structure must be attached to the house,” the letter read.

Collins emailed Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn about the issue, and requested that the city consider amending the municipal code to allow Little Free Libraries. Dunn referred the matter to City Administrator Scott Lambers, who responded with an email saying that the detached structure ordinance was “a common prohibition for cities.”

“I would suggest that citizens who are interested in this endeavor contact the Johnson County Library to see if this is an activity that the Library would permit to occur on their premises,” Lambers wrote.

That response irked Collins, who pointed out that the whole point of the Little Free Libraries was that they were right in their neighborhoods and easily accessible from the street.

“If it’s attached to the house, people aren’t going to come to it,” he said. “And why would you put a Little Free Library at a big library?”

Collins said he hasn’t made a final decision about whether to pull his LFL or not. He said he thinks he’s “ready to be cited. I’m ready to take it to court.”

“We’ve gotten so much positive response to it since we put it out,” he said. “The neighbors love it. If I lived three blocks to the north [in Prairie Village], this wouldn’t be an issue.”

Just Passin' By · 06-21-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Really?

Yes, really.

cosmo20002 · 06-21-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

common sense

you seems to lack understanding of the concept

Specifically, what exactly did I say that you think is so outrageous?

cosmo20002 · 06-21-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

No, with very few exceptions, there really aren't.

You're clueless. Where do you live?

GloryDayz · 06-21-2014, 03:59 PM

Books, what a novel concept.

Just like with flagpoles, the city should have a process for requesting an exception, and in this case make an exception. Just like blocking off a street for a block party, it' OK if you ask, but not if you don't. In this case, it's a no-brainer.

Just Passin' By · 06-21-2014, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

You're clueless. Where do you live?

You calling others clueless?

Now that's funny shit.

cosmo20002 · 06-21-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

You calling others clueless?

Now that's funny shit.

Good post.

jspchief · 06-21-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Yes, really.

I could fill pages with the good purposes of zoning and ordinances.

Unless you're a hillbilly, you probably wouldn't like the way towns and cities would look without ordinances keeping the mtg10s of the world from imposing their stupidity on the public.

GloucesterChief · 06-21-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Good luck selling your house located next to a mini-pig farm.

There's good reasons for zoning laws and city ordinances regarding residential property.

There are reasons. I wouldn't call them good. Like excluding minorities or the poor which historically zoning regulations have done. Artificially inflate land value by restricting the zoning or restricting development. Restricting free speech by sign ordinances.

GloucesterChief · 06-21-2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I could fill pages with the good purposes of zoning and ordinances.

Unless you're a hillbilly, you probably wouldn't like the way towns and cities would look without ordinances keeping the mtg10s of the world from imposing their stupidity on the public.

Yes, that hellhole and horrible looking place called Houston, TX which has no zoning ordinances.

jspchief · 06-21-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloucesterChief

Yes, that hellhole and horrible looking place called Houston, TX which has no zoning ordinances.

Well houston is a shit hole for a variety of reasons.

As for the topic of city ordinances, they have lots of them. The same type that might affect someone building a detached structure on their residential property without going through the proper channels.

As for zoning, it's not controlled by the local government, but it is still controlled by private covenants.

cosmo20002 · 06-21-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloucesterChief

Yes, that hellhole and horrible looking place called Houston, TX which has no zoning ordinances.

Funny that you only mention "zoning ordinances" without mentioning that they do have extensive and restrictive land use ordinances that preform the same function.

Fairplay · 06-21-2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Books, what a novel concept.

Just like with flagpoles, the city should have a process for requesting an exception, and in this case make an exception. Just like blocking off a street for a block party, it' OK if you ask, but not if you don't. In this case, it's a no-brainer.

Dave Lane is going through that process of bringing it to the mayors attention, that is the right process of handling the situation. Apparently many others have done the same thing. That is our democracy in action.

Mr. Laz · 06-21-2014, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Dave Lane is going through that process of bringing it to the mayors attention, that is the right process of handling the situation. Apparently many others have done the same thing. That is our democracy in action.

Dude shouldn't have to ask in this situation.

Unless his Little Library is the size of a delivery truck then it never should have become an issue.

Jiu Jitsu Jon · 06-21-2014, 10:47 PM

Michael Sam just called. He said this is the gayest thing he's ever heard.

What's next? Shutting down a kid's lemonade stand for operating without a license? I'm glad I don't live in Johnson Co. anymore.

Sorter · 06-21-2014, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I could fill pages with the good purposes of zoning and ordinances.

Unless you're a hillbilly, you probably wouldn't like the way towns and cities would look without ordinances keeping the mtg10s of the world from imposing their stupidity on the public.

06-21-2014, 10:11 AM
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $2992906	Leawood humiliates itself Leawood man faces citation for putting Little Free Library in his front yard http://pvpost.com/2014/06/18/leawood...ont-yard-28711 A north Leawood man will have to decide today whether to remove a Little Free Library he recently installed in his front yard — or face a citation from the city. Brian Collins, who lives near the intersection of 89th Street and Ensley Lane, installed a Little Free Library his father-in-law had given his wife for her birthday around three weeks ago. Collins went out of town for a few days last week, and when he arrived home, he found a letter from the city’s codes enforcement officer informing him that the Little Free Library was not permitted under city code because it was a “detached structure” and that he had until June 19 to come into compliance. “Your take a book leave a book structure must be attached to the house,” the letter read. Collins emailed Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn about the issue, and requested that the city consider amending the municipal code to allow Little Free Libraries. Dunn referred the matter to City Administrator Scott Lambers, who responded with an email saying that the detached structure ordinance was “a common prohibition for cities.” “I would suggest that citizens who are interested in this endeavor contact the Johnson County Library to see if this is an activity that the Library would permit to occur on their premises,” Lambers wrote. That response irked Collins, who pointed out that the whole point of the Little Free Libraries was that they were right in their neighborhoods and easily accessible from the street. “If it’s attached to the house, people aren’t going to come to it,” he said. “And why would you put a Little Free Library at a big library?” Collins said he hasn’t made a final decision about whether to pull his LFL or not. He said he thinks he’s “ready to be cited. I’m ready to take it to court.” “We’ve gotten so much positive response to it since we put it out,” he said. “The neighbors love it. If I lived three blocks to the north [in Prairie Village], this wouldn’t be an issue.”
Posts: 38,490

06-21-2014, 03:59 PM	#49
GloryDayz (Sir/Yes Sir/Aye Aye Sir) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Diving Casino cash: $3415380	Books, what a novel concept. Just like with flagpoles, the city should have a process for requesting an exception, and in this case make an exception. Just like blocking off a street for a block party, it' OK if you ask, but not if you don't. In this case, it's a no-brainer.
Posts: 115,643

06-21-2014, 10:47 PM	#59
Jiu Jitsu Jon Level 40 Wizard Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Misery Casino cash: $10013080	Michael Sam just called. He said this is the gayest thing he's ever heard. What's next? Shutting down a kid's lemonade stand for operating without a license? I'm glad I don't live in Johnson Co. anymore. __________________ John Madden's three rules: 1. Be on time. 2. Pay attention. 3. Play like hell when I tell you to. Last edited by Jiu Jitsu Jon; 06-21-2014 at 11:00 PM..
Posts: 1,484