Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It's all about showing some concern and consideration. It's about respecting the lives and property of neighbors.
And, it's about following the city building codes and edicts from the code enforcement hearing officer.
At question was the rental property at 221 N. Columbia St., which is owned by Barbara and Robert Brilliandt and is being purchased under land contract by Marcius Miller. Miller lives at the property.
According to Warsaw Building Inspector Pam Kennedy, Miller was told following a February inspection that one apartment could not be occupied until a ventilation fan was installed in the bathroom and electricity was wired in the kitchen to allow for a range and stove.
"There is a gentleman living in apartment D now, but we haven't been able to do a full inspection," Kennedy said. "But there still is no electricity to the kitchen."
Other complaints about the property are coming from neighbors, including crowded living conditions in a downstairs apartment and improper trash storage and disposal.
"I'm one of the ones who have called about the extra occupancy in the downstairs apartment. There are five people living in a one-bedroom apartment," said Robert Hardin, 211 N. Columbia.
Hardin also complained there is no trash bin for the four-unit apartment, and trash is frequently strewn throughout the neighborhood. Miller was not present at the hearing.
"This means there is a lack of concern on the part of the property owner for the property and the neighborhood," Hardin added.
Hearing Officer Larry Clifford agreed with Hardin. To emphasize the point, he immediately fined Miller $1,000 and ordered apartment D vacated and sealed if it did not pass a code compliance inspection by 4 p.m. Tuesday. He also scheduled an additional hearing on the property for June 21 at 1:30 p.m.
"I've been coming to Warsaw for 13 months, and this is the fourth time this property has come before me, and I've just scheduled a fifth," Clifford said. "The problem is an example of a willful failure to comply with the city's building codes and contempt for the directives of these hearings."
In other business, Clifford also fined the following property owners for willful failure to comply with the city's building codes:
• Tom and Cathy Hutchinson, 421 W. Fort Wayne St., fined $1,000.
• J.C. and Glenda Wood, 509 N. Columbia St., Fined $1,000.
