A change was discussed this week to Starke County’s ordinance on manufactured housing applicability.
Building Inspector Terry Stephenson told the Starke County Commissioners this week he would like to eliminate the need for a licensed set crew.
Starke County Commissioners Consider Request for Code Enforcement Officer
Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson asked the commissioners for permission to hire a code enforcement officer.
Stephenson told the commissioners that he needs someone to help with investigating code and ordinance violations and “help clean up the county”.
Starke County Commissioners Looking for Candidates to Serve on Commissions
Planning Commission Working to Rid County of Unsafe Structures
The Starke County Planning Commission is busy ridding the county of blighted and vacant homes. In the past four months, 18 enforcement letters have been sent out for unsafe structures, and 15 property owners have taken care of the problems themselves. The county will demolish three unsafe structures. Of those, two are already down. Dirtworks Excavating, J.D. Excavating and Pioneer Excavating have each volunteered to demolish one structure at no cost to the county. Planning Commission President Dennis Estok is pleased with the process.
Starke County Planning Commission to Meet Wednesday
The Starke County Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting and two public hearings on Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the county government building, located at 53 E. Mound St. in Knox. Amongst the agenda items is a public hearing to consider the approval of a proposed major subdivision to be known as “Almero,” consisting of 10 lots in North Bend Township, the petitioners and legal owners of which are Robert and Madalyn Michels.
Starke County Planning Commission to Consider Fee Schedule Revisions
According to Commission Clerk-Secretary Pamla Starkey, the Planning Commission will discuss a revision to the fee schedule to add a demolition permit, do away with roofing permits, and add a permit for electrical inspections that are required after electric service at a building has been turned off for at least 90 days. Starkey explained that the commission has reviewed the fees on an annual basis, but no changes have been made to the schedule ordinance in a number of years.
Starke Planning Commission To Revise Building Permit Fees
The Starke County Planning Commission at their regular October meeting heard a request to reduce a building permit fee from Attorney Todd Wallsmith on behalf of American Oak.
American Oak is looking to construct a new 100,000 square foot building, but with the current fee schedule, Wallsmith said they would be looking at a cost of $20,000 for the fee. This five-figure cost, Wallsmith explained, highlights the commission’s need to rework their fee schedule which is currently set at $0.20 per square foot.
Injunction Order Against C&C Salvage To Be Revised
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall heard a motion to set aside an order of injunction filed against C&C Salvage of Knox.
An injunction order was filed against C&C Salvage after the Planning Commission says they learned C&C Salvage did not have the proper permits from the commission to expand its operations, but James Campbell, the owner of C&C Salvage, had expanded the salvage and junk yard to the south, nearly doubling its size. Further, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted an inspection in May and found several violations of both state and federal laws.
C&C Salvage Shut Down For Permitting, IDEM Violations
An injunction order has been filed in the Starke Circuit Court against C&C Salvage and Auto Sales, Inc. in Knox prohibiting them from conducting business until they have applied for and received the proper permits.
According to the injunction, C&C Salvage did not have the proper permits from the Planning Commission to expand its operations, but James Campbell had expanded the salvage and junk yard to the south, nearly doubling its size. Further, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted an inspection in May and found several violations of both state and federal laws.
As a result, the injunction requires Campbell to cease all business operations until every violation of county, state, and federal law is corrected. A fine of $300 per day will be issued to Campbell for every day he is still in violation of the laws since July 30, and he is also required to pay the court costs for the matter as well.
Starke County Plan Commission Grants Permit to Julia Ford
The Starke County Plan Commission was informed by Building Inspector Bruce Williams this week that he has granted Julia (Povilaitis) Ford a permit for a structure that is placed at 6690 East 250 North in rural Grovertown.
The original permit that he had granted was eventually revoked by the BZA board because it was issued as a Type One Manufactured Home. Williams acknowledged that the permit issued on January 11th of this year was a Commercial Unit, but said it was to be converted to a Single Family Dwelling.
Starke County Plan Commission to Hear Property Issue
The Starke County Plan Commission will meet tonight. On the agenda is an item that has drawn much interest in the past. Betty Dotlich has been before the Commission, BZA and County Commissioners trying to get a structure removed from a property. Dotlich claims the home does not meet code for its location.
Starke County Commissioners Hears Zoning Issue
Betty Dotlich, of rural Grovertown, appeared before the Starke County Commissioners again this week seeking information and assistance in halting the use of a structure she claims is improperly zoned. Dotlich has sought help several time in having a home owned by Julia Povalitis properly zoned, saying she doesn’t believe it meets minimum residential standards. Dotlich said it appears that it is still being used for housing.
Starke County Planning Commission Puts Final Touches on Proposed Dog Kennel Ordinance
The Starke County Planning Commission discussed the proposed dog kennel ordinance at their meeting last week.
Dan Bridegroom suggested that a commercial kennel definition in the form of an I.C. code be added to the ordinance. Bruce Williams, Administrator/Building Commissioner, suggested adding the phrase “more than four and less than 20 unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve months of age” to the ordinance under commercial kennel definition. Commission Counsel, Steve Dodge, added that if more than four male or female dogs are at one residence, the homeowner will need a kennel license. The changes were approved by a vote of 5-3 and now the revised ordinance will be sent back to the Commissioners for their approval.
Starke County Planning Commission Tables Dog Kennel Ordinance
The ordinance regulating dog kennels is slowly making progress to being approved, and it’s been sent back to the tech committee for further revision. Previously, a committee consisting of many dog owners collaborated on making a revision to the proposed ordinance that would differentiate between commercial and non-commercial kennels, but none of the members of the Planning Commission had a list of the people on that committee.
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