Du Quoin Council Upholds Zoning "Stop" Order

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The city council will uphold a "stop" order on reconstruction of a resident's fence that is encroaching on city right of way and deny him the keeping of two horses on the same property that lies within city limits.

Resident Scott Lynn, who is rehabilitating property he owns at 110 Musselman came to the council on referral to appeal a Du Quoin zoning board ruling that both issues violate zoning code conformance.

City attorney Aaron Atkins told Lynn his fence can't encroach on city property (one foot on city property at one end and seven feet at the other) no matter how long the fence had previously encroached on the property. Nor can he keep livestock (two horses) on the same property.

Lynn found an unlikely ally in Du Quoin resident Robert Hamilton, who frequents the council meetings. Hamilton spoke sincerely and said small towns across Illinois are dying and that councils need to be considerate of residents wants so long as nothing is harmed. "Two horses! Two horses!," said Hamilton. "That's all we are talking about." He argued councils need to find a way to make residents want to continue to live in small towns. If not, "We will look like Cairo one of these days.

The council also:

Approved a parade permit application to facilitate the Du Quoin High School Homecoming Parade to held on October 2, 2009

Approved the roadblock application submitted by the Du Quoin Lions Club for October 10, 2009

Approved Daughters of the American Revolution-Beaucoup Creek Chapter

Approved a resolution adopting the Perry County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Approved the funds necessary to purchase a dump truck bed

Approved the funds necessary to purchase a new salt spreader

Approved appointments to the Park Board of Commissioners

Approved to rescind the condemnation order for the property located at 517 West Park Street.