Property Owner Rights vs. Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Dec 23, 2007 in Opinion 
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We Don’t Want No Junkyard
Biloxi businessman Hayes Bolton has been ordered to put up an “appropriate” fence to cover the view of his beach vending pawn shop business from visitors to the Biloxi (Mississippi) lighthouse. The property, only 100 feet away from arguably “the most photographed lighthouse in the southeast,” (as described in the story) has been the target of a campaign by the Biloxi Community Development Committee to get rid of or at least cover up the businesses. “We just don’t feel that this is an appropriate location for a junkyard,” said Director Jerry Creel in a story posted at WLOX-TV.
Put Up The Right Kind of Fence
Complaints about the property apparently date back several years, when Bolton was found guilty of six code violations, which included keeping junk vehicles at the site. Bolton appeared in front of the city’s Architecture and Historical Review Commission last week to propose building a fence around the property as a way of mitigating the offending view, but the design for his fence was turned down by the Commission as not being historically correct according to AHRC guidelines. It was also condemned as not being complementary to the future visitor’s center and the lighthouse.
Location, Location, Location
While a fence blocking the view would certainly be nice, one does have to remember that the entire view around this particular lighthouse is anything but picturesque. It sits in the middle of a narrow traffic median, surrounded by cars whizzing by, businesses, streetlights and signs. Not exactly conducive to a digital moment. And if this business is so objectionable to the city, why was it permitted in the first place? I think the city has taken this a little too far for my tastes. If the fence that Mr. Bolton offered to build was not acceptable, perhaps the city should spring for the costs associated with one that they feel is good enough. By the way, look at the fence surrounding the lighthouse put up by the city. Historically accurate? I think not. An alternative would be for the city to move the lighthouse to someplace more picturesque. Good for tourism, and Mr. Bolton can keep his business.
See previous story about Biloxi’s troubles: Biloxi LIghthouse Held Together By Plastic Ties?
Photo Credit: Biloxi Lighthouse by im me on Flickr (Creative Commons license).
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More About Biloxi Lighthouse
- Biloxi Lighthouse Held Together By Plastic Ties?
- Property Owner Rights vs. Lighthouse
- Bolton Fence Rejected - Again
- Bolton-Biloxi Lighthouse Fight Continues
- Biloxi Lighthouse: Cause of Suicide?
