Teenagers selling firewood get thwarted by city hall

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Two Columbia teens selling firewood from a vacant lot may have to close down their business because of zoning violations.

Columbia protective inspection officials said recently that the teens have to stop selling the firewood until they rezone the land, get a business license and make other improvements, including a "dust-free parking lot," a handicapped-accessible entrance and a bathroom.

"Unfortunately, the zoning laws just don't look at the good purposes of a business. They're made to protect residential areas from the expansion of retail sales activity," said John Sudduth, city building regulations supervisor, who added that the land is zoned for office use.

John Stevenson, 17, said he was surprised by the demand.

"Their attitude to us is basically, 'I'm God, you're humanity,'" Stevenson said. "I could be doing a lot worse. I'm not selling drugs. I'm selling firewood."

In early October, Stevenson and Max Hartz, 18, started the roadside business. Hartz, a Moberly Community College student, owns a landscaping company and knew of tree services eager to sell wood cheap. He thought if he charged $50 for a half-cord, 64 cubic feet, he could give people a value and turn a profit.

Hartz's father spoke with Mark Stevenson, who owns Real Estate Management Inc. Mark Stevenson loved the idea and offered Hartz the use of his vacant property, asking if his son, a Hickman High School student, could help.

The two teens designed a flier and signs. When they started selling firewood in October, Stevenson stacked wood and Hartz did most of the splitting and chain-saw work. They also got approval from the North Central Columbia Neighborhood Association.

"We've had no complaints, only compliments," said Hartz.

But on Nov. 13, Hartz returned to the lot to find a note pinned to a shed from a city building inspector, John D'Agostino. The note said that until the operation gets the proper permits and makes a host of changes, including erosion controls and on-site bathrooms, the teens must cease and desist.

Mark Stevenson said he was shocked. "Sometimes the system's a little rough on people who try to comply with it," the father said.

A subsequent visit from an inspector and a second letter sent to the Stevenson home have reiterated D'Agostino's position.

Sudduth said his department would try to work with the teens but cannot selectively enforce the law.

"We try to be reasonable," he said. "But if people truly are persistent in breaking laws, what we do is follow up with a notice of violation and a citation that is sent to the city prosecutor," Sudduth said.