Rogers Car Collector Ordered To Clean Property

ROGERS -- Danny Wall has said he collects cars, boats, motorcycles, trucks and recreation vehicles at his 3512 S. First St. home.

A complaint regarding Wall's property to the city Code Enforcement Department led to Wall being cited in September for unsightly and unsanitary property.

Wall appeared in Rogers District Court last week to plead his case.

The property was zoned agricultural when it was annexed into the city in the 1970s. Wall said he purchased the 1.6 acres from a man who ran a salvage yard on the property. The salvage yard was allowed to stay as long as the property was owned by the man who ran the salvage yard. When Wall purchased the house, the right to operate a salvage yard no longer existed.

Wall purchased the property in 1995. At that time the only thing on the property was a single-story home with a detached garage and some trees, based on an aerial photo of the area.

Wall said he doesn't run a salvage yard, nor does he have a city business license to operate a salvage yard. He said he likes to collect cars, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and other items.

Wall said he was told the property was allowed as a salvage yard -- a nonconforming use -- when annexed. He said he didn't remember who told him that.

Wall couldn't be reached Thursday for comment. He doesn't have a listed telephone number, and none was listed on court or city records.

District Court Judge Paul Bridges, after hearing Wall's testimony last week, had code enforcement officers testify. James Willett, code enforcement director, said he and two other enforcement officers testified regarding the condition of the property.

Bridges found Wall guilty of having unsightly and unsanitary property. The issue of what appears to be a salvage yard in agricultural zoning wasn't part of the trial. A salvage yard is only allowed in industrial zoning, according to city code.

Wall was given 30 days to put up an 8-foot fence around the back and side of the property to shield the scores of vehicles or remove the vehicles, according to court records. Wall must report back to court Jan. 29 to show he has begun to erect the fence or remove the vehicles, according to Bridges' order. Wall was fined $25 and ordered to pay $25 in court cost and a $40 jail fee.

NW News on 12/18/2014

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