Freetown property target of lawsuit

BROWNSTOWN — Jackson County Plan Commission recently filed a lawsuit against a Freetown man accused of operating a junkyard on property zoned for residential usage.

According to a complaint filed Sept. 29 in Jackson Superior Court I, the plan commission alleges Jimmy Bryant has numerous cars and other miscellaneous debris on his property at 4484 W. Third St. in Freetown and that Bryant’s property constitutes a junkyard or salvage operation.

The property, however, is zoned residential and operating a junkyard or salvage operation is not permitted in an area zoned residential.

The lawsuit also contends Bryant has been told to cease using his property as a junkyard and salvage operation and that he has failed to do so.

The lawsuit further contends that Bryant’s activities have created an unhealthy environment and constitutes a nuisance and asks the court to issue a permanent injunction against Bryant and force him to remove junk and debris from the property.

In October, Jackson County Board of Commissioners enacted an ordinance establishing property standards. The ordinance is designed to help the county deal with foreclosed properties that have been abandoned as well as to deal with long-festering problems in the county’s small communities.

According to the ordinance, it’s intended to “establish minimum standards for maintenance, appearance, condition and occupancy, to make residential premises fit for human habitation and to make non-residential premises fit for use according to the purpose for which they were developed.”

The purpose, the ordinance states, is to protect the public health, safety, welfare, appearance and values of properties by setting minimum standards of upkeep.