Ordered To Tear New House Down

LNG24

Hey Guys,

Please note that this is not some joke. This is happening to my Brother in Law. A Contractor just like us! Here is his letter.

OCRS

Would local/regional media be of any help with this?

joasis

I think I would be calling every television station, news channel, radio show....right down to 60 Minutes and Nightline......and I bet the petty city officials still win. Simply amazing.

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Mike(VA)

You know, this could all be on the up and up, but we are only hearing (seeing) one side. I don't know lng24 and I am not inferring anything. It seems there is always more to any story.

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I EXPECT THAT SOMEDAY I WILL SEE THE FRUITS OF MY LABOR. IS IT SOMEDAY YET?
Clifton, Great Falls, McLean, Fairfax Station, Manassas, Virginia Renovation Contractor

Bodger

I second that. Media coverage about the situation could also cause a stir with the other residents of that municipality. Make the general population around there wonder if they're house is next! People will be examining all their property documents to be sure.

Pretty ironic situation, given the fact that there are so many foreclosures and so much talk about trying to help people hang on to their houses and all that these days. And here's a government entity ordering a perfectly good house to be demolished for no good reason.

Any chance the area was once occupied by Native Americans from long ago and could be an ancient burial ground or have other sacred historical significance? That could take a few years to ascertain.
Talk about media coverage.

BKFranks

Yes, these are the type of stories you hear on national news shows like 60 minutes.

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TimNJ

Not too much different than what I am going through with Plumsted Twnsp here in NJ. I own a rental property that is half a duplex. The owner of the other half decides to build an addition on the back. The architect designs the addition with the soffit, fascia, gutters 16" on my property. The building inspector approves the plans, HO starts his foundation. I went to the inspectors office and told him I wanted to see the plans because I never received any notification that anything was being done that would affect my property. Whithin 10 seconds of opening up the plans on the inspectors counter I pointed out to him the addition was on my property. His response, "You two are going to have to work something out". WTF!! I told him I wanted a stop work order issued and he wouldn't. Hired a lawyer, HO keeps building. After umpteen leters back and forth HO has torn down his addtion and moved it 4' to the side. Still unresolved issues of damages he caused to my property. I told my lawyer I wanted the town and the inspector named in the suit. He told me it wouldn't do any good but he did it anyway. First pre-trial conference before the judge between all the lawyers and the first thing the judge does is dismiss the town and the inspector. In NJ, towns and inspectors are not liable for their f'ups unless they involve death or severe bodily injury.
One and half years later and $20,000 and climbing in legal expenses, and this still isn't resolved. Maybe by summer time. All because the building inspector is a d***head.

kweinert

I would call the EPA and get them involved in the illegal dumping going on.

LNG24

No you don't know me, but I can assure you the facts are stated in the letter and this is how it is playing out. No Stop Work Order was issued until after the house was built. There is a complete log of all the inspections. You can not get inspections without a building permit. You can not get a building permit without submitting plans and getting approval.

There are always two sides to a story. Yes indeed! But if you have ever run into a brick wall when working with the town, you know that sometimes they do stuff that is simply unbelievable, like in this case.


Yes I hope, but as already stated, we can rally people behind it, but I am sure little will be down on the town side. They will most likely issue a No Comment letter due to ongoing litigation.

We have reached out to the media as of today.

OCRS

Try to keep us updated LNG.

tinner666

Yes, keep us updated. Which Network are you reaching out to?

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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

cleveman

You're right, the same thing could happen to me, and it has happened.

The government can do no wrong and they can't be help responsible for their errors. They will also use any means available to prevail, and of course the taxpayers will be paying for it.

I'm just surprised they are going to such lengths to uphold the law.

Here, they go to such lengths to do the opposite, to not uphold the law and allow people to do what they have a right to do.

A friend once told me that there would be fewer problems if people understood that with the proper equipment and a little training, most anyone can be very accurate with a rifle up to 1000 meters.

Cole

Wow, I agree with the above comments.

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Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

Mike Finley

I lived in NY for a long time, I can tell you from experience there is more going on than a pure legal issue. Smells like cover up to me. In NY there is no separation from politics and somebody doing something they shouldn't have when it comes to a government job. When I lived there it was a common way of life that you could break the law a little bit and get away with it on a daily basis, a little bit of corroption is the way of life, that's just the mentality of the place. I never paid a parking ticket, a speeding ticket you name it... everybody knows somebody back there and it's a rub my back and I'll rub yours (wink wink) way of doing everything.

Mike(VA)

LNG24, hope I didn't ruffle your feathers; didn't mean to. Somebody in the town wants something or is hiding something they don't want known, (I don't mean bribe), and until your BIL figures that out, he will never get anywhere. Even then he may still not get anywhere but the media exposure would be a lot more interesting. Good luck with this one.

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I EXPECT THAT SOMEDAY I WILL SEE THE FRUITS OF MY LABOR. IS IT SOMEDAY YET?
Clifton, Great Falls, McLean, Fairfax Station, Manassas, Virginia Renovation Contractor

Cdat

Go above their heads. Get the state involved. It has worked wonders around here. Just knowing someone with a deeper wallet is going to start an investigation against them got our Township to change their illegal plans more then once.

I've actually had our Drain Commisioner tell us to take them to court. After all the legal crap is done, they'll of still been paid and completed the work on projects that were nothing more then job security for them.

If you are a Vet, try and contact your Congressman or Senator. You would not believe the doors that get opened once you can get one of those fella's involved.

boman47k

Unofficial dump? Something smells. They never did find Hoffa, right? Seriously, maybe someone is scared a can of worms may be opened.
If possible, I agree lots of media attention is needed. And don't count your congressman out. Bil needs as many write-ins as he can get.

woodchuck2

So what your saying is the deed is clear and you have been taxed as a buildable lot, the town obviously issued permits for this home to be built, the town has attached you water and sewer up to the town lines and they have been dumping on your property for this whole time that you have owned it. You attorney should have a field day with this. Stick to your guns, if you lose then sue the hell out of them. You should start getting copies of everything you can that has anything to do with your property as things sometimes disappear. Also ask them for copies of the board minutes, they have to give you a copy by law.
The town i grew up in was and still is the same way with outsiders. My parents were transplants to the area back in the 60's and until i took ownership of their home the taxes were much higher than the locals. You could actually put a peice of paper on the pages of the tax books and identify locals from outsides by the assessed tax amount stated on the page without seeing the names. I am considered a local and have always been on good terms with the town board commitee but i have seen some of the games they play.

rbsremodeling

I feel you pain. I have a story that would make this seem like a fairy tale come through.

The corruption and illegal activity was so deep, that the city stuck the meat up in me so far I could not walk for weeks.

It cost me over 350k. If they really have something to hide, your screwed. I hate to say it.

Fight the good fight I did,

but know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to run.

If some one reminds me this weekend I will tell this story. You guys will not believe this. It could be a movie of the week

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inthegutter

That is a truly scary situation. Best of luck (to all)