The town of Elon is stepping up enforcement of an ordinance that prohibits having indoor furniture used outdoors.

The Community Appearance Ordinance was passed at the beginning of 2007 and prohibits misplacement of furniture and unkempt or litter-filled yards.

“It makes people more responsible for their yards,” said Elon Town Planner Sean Tencer. “If you had a neighbor that had all kinds of junk in their yard, it can make property values decrease. It makes the town neat, nice and aesthetically pleasing.”

This ordinance is similar to many around the country that were enacted to increase property values and the overall look of the town.

“It’s an appearance ordinance,” Tencer said. “As far as appearance goes, it’s things that cosmetically don’t look good for the community. You might have a pile of pipe or a rubber tire, most towns have community standards on how the town should look.”

This ordinance could have an impact on a number of students who live off-campus.

“They are trying to target specific college behaviors,” said senior Mike Kelly. “It’s a college neighborhood so they shouldn’t be able to say anything that we do isn’t right…they need to adapt to it.”

While the town is made up of college students, Tencer said he still has problems with normal citizens.

“It’s half and half,” Tencer said. “I have problems out of normal citizens yards and I have problems with college students and the yards they are renting.”

Elon residents have raised questions about what exactly classifies as indoor furniture and what is acceptable to keep outdoors.

Tencer said it will be handled on a case-to-case basis.

Another one of the main reasons for passing the ordinance is to improve property values.

“All the property is being purchased by renters of Elon students anyways,” Kelly said. “I don’t think it really changes the property values by having college kids have their couch sitting outside.”

Tencer says that the ordinance could also cut down on health and nuisances problems in certain areas of the community.

“If someone has three foot tall grass they could have snakes, rats or varmints living in there. It cuts down on health problems,” Tencer said.

Even though the town is stepping up enforcement, it is a complaint-driven ordinance.

“I don’t go on a witch-hunt,” he said. “I don’t drive around trying to find (problems).”

Managing Editor: Justin Hite - 10/24/07