Code Enforcement Fines Property Owner $1,000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
David Wentzel, owner of the building at 110 E. Center St., Warsaw, appeared before Warsaw code enforcement hearing judge Larry Clifford Monday.
At the hearing in November, Wentzel was ordered to accomplish several tasks to refurbish the three-story brick structure in downtown Warsaw.
Wentzel complied with some of the orders, hesitating on others.
Warsaw Fire Department Safety Officer Mike Wilson testified that most hazards have been addressed. However, because the building is unoccupied, it is considered a safety hazard.
Building commissioner Todd Slabaugh said little progress has been made since the November orders.
Wentzel explained he intends to refinance the project and he hasn't applied for a building permit because he doesn't have $3,000 for an architect's seal.
Clifford said he was to have applied by Dec. 19.
"I'm trying to determine what is a good faith effort and what's foot-dragging," Clifford said.
Slabaugh said the building department wouldn't have issued a permit without the architect's seal.
"But that's $3,000 I don't have," Wentzel said and mentioned a $10,000 fine for going ahead with a project without an architect's review.
"Has that ever happened to your knowledge?" Clifford asked, referring to the $10,000 fine. "You could still apply for a permit.
Clifford asked Wentzel what his plans were for the building and Wentzel said a retail space on the first floor and office space or residential space on the upper floors.
Upon further questioning Wentzel said he could realize about $10,500 by leasing the space and Clifford observed that the $3,000 fee didn't seem like very much in comparison.
Wentzel was fined $1,000 in civil penalties, which were postponed from the November hearing. He is to apply for a building permit, with architectural plans and seal by noon April 15, the date of the next code enforcement hearing.
The facade of the building is to be complete by May 31.
John Call appeared before the board regarding five condemned apartment buildings on Walter Way.
Now with financial backing, the buildings are being gutted and reconstructed. The first building should be ready for occupancy within a month, with the rest completed at a rate of one building a month thereafter.
Slabaugh said Call is doing more than he was asked and is pleased with the progress.
Clifford said Call must schedule inspections on or before April 1, May 1, June 3, July 8 and Aug. 9 for the remaining buildings.
"If you pass each inspection you'll avoid civil penalties," he said. More than $15,000 in fines already has been levied against the property.
The complex, consisting of five buildings with eight units each, lacked one-hour fire separation between apartments and the floor joists were not up to code.
The first notice of code violation orders was received December 1999.
Condemnation of the Glen Terrace Apartments began in June 2000.
Glen Terrace was built with a 50-year low-interest USDA Rural Development federal loan, specifying that low-income tenants rent the apartments.
In January 2001 foreclosure on the loan was pending. Since then Call has paid off the federal loan and refinanced, freeing restrictions on apartment rents. [[In-content Ad]]
David Wentzel, owner of the building at 110 E. Center St., Warsaw, appeared before Warsaw code enforcement hearing judge Larry Clifford Monday.
At the hearing in November, Wentzel was ordered to accomplish several tasks to refurbish the three-story brick structure in downtown Warsaw.
Wentzel complied with some of the orders, hesitating on others.
Warsaw Fire Department Safety Officer Mike Wilson testified that most hazards have been addressed. However, because the building is unoccupied, it is considered a safety hazard.
Building commissioner Todd Slabaugh said little progress has been made since the November orders.
Wentzel explained he intends to refinance the project and he hasn't applied for a building permit because he doesn't have $3,000 for an architect's seal.
Clifford said he was to have applied by Dec. 19.
"I'm trying to determine what is a good faith effort and what's foot-dragging," Clifford said.
Slabaugh said the building department wouldn't have issued a permit without the architect's seal.
"But that's $3,000 I don't have," Wentzel said and mentioned a $10,000 fine for going ahead with a project without an architect's review.
"Has that ever happened to your knowledge?" Clifford asked, referring to the $10,000 fine. "You could still apply for a permit.
Clifford asked Wentzel what his plans were for the building and Wentzel said a retail space on the first floor and office space or residential space on the upper floors.
Upon further questioning Wentzel said he could realize about $10,500 by leasing the space and Clifford observed that the $3,000 fee didn't seem like very much in comparison.
Wentzel was fined $1,000 in civil penalties, which were postponed from the November hearing. He is to apply for a building permit, with architectural plans and seal by noon April 15, the date of the next code enforcement hearing.
The facade of the building is to be complete by May 31.
John Call appeared before the board regarding five condemned apartment buildings on Walter Way.
Now with financial backing, the buildings are being gutted and reconstructed. The first building should be ready for occupancy within a month, with the rest completed at a rate of one building a month thereafter.
Slabaugh said Call is doing more than he was asked and is pleased with the progress.
Clifford said Call must schedule inspections on or before April 1, May 1, June 3, July 8 and Aug. 9 for the remaining buildings.
"If you pass each inspection you'll avoid civil penalties," he said. More than $15,000 in fines already has been levied against the property.
The complex, consisting of five buildings with eight units each, lacked one-hour fire separation between apartments and the floor joists were not up to code.
The first notice of code violation orders was received December 1999.
Condemnation of the Glen Terrace Apartments began in June 2000.
Glen Terrace was built with a 50-year low-interest USDA Rural Development federal loan, specifying that low-income tenants rent the apartments.
In January 2001 foreclosure on the loan was pending. Since then Call has paid off the federal loan and refinanced, freeing restrictions on apartment rents. [[In-content Ad]]