By Teri Stiles
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp – After offering a myriad of rationalizations, including catching himself on fire, Legault property owner John Sloan’s plead to the township board to let him continue work on his house.
His excuses were met with an order to tear it down.
After more than three years of extensions to allow Sloan to complete construction of a house at 1076 Legault, the board reluctantly ordered the incomplete structure to be demolished.
‘Three years is plenty of time to build the house,? said Township Clerk Jeannie McCreery, ‘My question is’wouldn’t it be better to sell than tear it down??
However, selling the property was not an option exercised by the court when an order was issued in February, to remove the half-build structure if it was not completed by April.
More than three years ago, John Sloan, of Shelby Township, purchased the 1076 Legault property with a Zoning Board of Appeal approval to leave the existing quonset hut, as long as Sloan builds a house within two years of purchase.
Sloan made an attempt to build a house around the hut, but the work stalled, and the original allotted construction time-limit lapsed.
After several fruitless attempts to encourage Sloan to move on the project the township petitioned the court for a land use violation, which would force the owner into action.
In February the township was advised by the court to bull doze the structure down by April 19, however Sloan then began reconstructing the building until three weeks ago when the work, again, came to a halt.
Sloan told the board that he has done everything he could to try to finish the house, but can’t get out there for another couple weeks because he needs to make more money.
‘The property taxes are paid $3,800 in cash,? Sloan said.
‘I did as much, as fast as I could but had to come up cash every step of the way’it’s all paid for the land, the taxes and the house but I just need more time.?
Time is what Sloan no longer has.
According to several neighbors who spoke to the board, they are done looking at the half-built, metal bare, slat slapping, rubble and besieged the board with requests to tear the quonset down.
‘He’s been given so many extensions in the past,? said Legault neighbor Ronald DuBois.
Building Department Director Tim Palulian told the board that the courts are loathed to remove a home, which is why Sloan have been given so many extensions however, Palulian said the last lapse is the last.
‘This is a tough decision for me,? said Palulian ‘but for whatever reason this property owner is unable or incapable to comply with the court order and I recommend to allow removal.?
Although each board member express grief over the order, a compelling three year history of extensions and court orders moved the board to the decision to have the half-build home demolished.
‘The township has been patient with you every turn,? Township Supervisor Ron Lapp told Sloan.
‘We’ve made extensions for you John, but we’re at the eleventh hour here.?
While McCreery voted against demolishing the property, the remaining six board members included in their motioned that in order to avoid further delay, Palulian circumvent the bidding process and hire a contractor of his choice.
‘We don’t want to tear your house down but that’s where it stands,? Lapp ended.