Trailer at Center of Grovertown Zoning Controversy Removed

  
 

A commercial office trailer at the center of a zoning controversy is no longer in the state. It’s owned by Walter Ford and Julia Ford and until last week was located in Grovertown. The Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals in 2011 issued a mobile home permit for the structure. Neighbors George and Betty Dotlich filed a BZA appeal in October of that year, challenging the structure’s classification as a mobile home.

The BZA revoked that permit and issued one for a site-built home. The Dotlichs’ filed an appeal in court in March of 2012 on the grounds the trailer, which was purchased in Illinois, was not certified for any use in Indiana for any purpose and that placement of such structures outside of commercially zoned areas is a violation of county ordinances. A special judge ruled in their favor in January of 2013 and sent the matter back to the BZA. That body adopted the judge’s findings and ordered the structure removed by June 1, 2013. Continue reading

Fords Sue County Over Zoning Issue

 
 

A Grovertown couple who was ordered to remove an improperly placed structure from their property are suing the county for damages as a result of their ordeal. Walter and Julia Ford’s lawsuit names former Starke County Building Commissioner Bruce Williams, the Starke County Board of Commissioners and Board of Zoning Appeals of Starke County as defendants. Continue reading

Judge Blankenship to Ponder Starke County Property Case

 
 

Pulaski County Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship will take a few days to mull over a decision concerning legal action between the Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals, George and Betty Dotlich and Julia Ford.

The Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals and attorney Martin Bedrock filed a motion in court to show cause as to why Julia Ford has not removed a structure that was ordered to be done by the BZA in the Grovertown area. The issue was if she violated the terms of the court order and was to held in contempt of court.

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Grovertown Structure Still a Court Issue; Hearing Set For Sept. 17

 A structure in rural Grovertown is still a heated issue, as Walter and Julia Ford have been ordered to appear in Pulaski Superior Court in Winamac to argue why they should not be held in contempt of court for not removing a structure that they had been ordered to remove before June 1. Back in May, the Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to uphold a ruling made by Special Judge Patrick Blankenship that required Julia Ford to tear down a building that has been the subject of public scrutiny and a lawsuit. They extended the deadline date from June 1 to June 15 and adjourned the meeting.

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No Decision Made in Controversial Zoning Issue

There is still no final decision in the matter regarding the building permit issued to Julia Ford for a structure at 6690 East 250 North in Grovertown following the recent meeting of the Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Neighbor Betty Dotlich objects to the permit, citing the structure as commercial and not residential and, therefore, the structure should not be allowed to remain on the property. Dotlich presented the board with a thick packet of documentation regarding the situation, and a motion was made by the board to table the matter for a month’s time in order to digest the information presented.

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Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals down One Member

Starke County Courthouse

The Starke County BZA Board will continue on with business until a someone steps up to fill a vacancy on the Board.

Roger Chaffins had to relinquish his seat on that Board when he was elected as a Township Trustee. At this week’s Starke County Council meeting, it was announced that no one had emerged to put in his or her name for a seat on the Board. The replacement must be a Democrat.

Don White, Bob Troike, Sherri Bartoli, and Denise Marks are the current members of the Board.