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 →