Photo: Since this photo was taken, many more vehicles and trailers have been added to the property
A Carroll County resident has contacted some of the Supervisors, Environmental Services, local law enforcement, the media and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to lodge official complaints about the condition of a rural piece of property southeast of Carroll, about four miles south of U.S. Highway 30. Director of Environmental Services, Carey Kersey, brought the complaint to the table at Monday’s supervisor meeting.
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Kersey says it sounds like the DNR has zeroed in on some five gallon drums and possibly some other items that could be violations. However, Kersey was there to ask about what the county’s role will be once the DNR has completed their portion of any remediation.
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The ordinances that could potentially apply include one from environmental health that covers nuisances, junk, junk vehicles, rat harborage and dangerous buildings. The zoning ordinance has a junk yard classification requirement, according to Kersey.
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An aerial photo presented showed at least 50 if not closer to 100 vehicles spread across the acreage. There are also more than half a dozen trailers, and Rich Ruggles questioned whether or not these were inhabited. Kersey believes they are just being used to store more things. Supervisor Chair, Neil Bock, said they intend to wait and see what the DNR does about clean-up on the property. In the meantime, the supervisors want to discuss their options with Carroll County Attorney, John Werden, and explore ways other counties have dealt with similar issues. Kersey had one example.
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She adds she does have the name of that individual just in case it would be an option for this particular property.