I need to start this out with a correction for last month’s Supervisors Corner. When I was writing about the waste site, in one of the sentences I wrote that we “do” take construction debris. That is incorrect. I dropped the “not” after the “do” and the sentence should have read “We do not take construction debris”. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
In keeping along the same theme from the last couple of months, I need to relate to you a zoning story about a fence. A resident comes in to get a zoning permit for a fence. Pat goes over the zoning requirements about location and size and height. The resident brings the permit back in, properly filled out, with a nice sketch showing all the necessary information and pays for the permit. Now the sketch shows 4’ high fence panels, which according to our ordinance is in accordance with the rules. As time goes on another resident from the area calls and asks when we changed our zoning requirements for fences. When we explained that there had been no change, they informed us that the new fence in their area was 6’ high rather that 4’ as per the permit and the ordinance. Upon inspection Pat finds that the resident had purchased 4’ panels and mounted them 2’ off the ground. The resident was informed of their error and corrected the fence.
Property lines continue to be an issue. Before you start construction I advise everyone to get a survey of their property to ensure that you are within your parcel or lot before you come in for a permit. If you have not had a survey in the last 10 to 15 years then you may want to consider one. The Township is not responsible for locating your property lines. The property owner is responsible. If you show us your property line and it is not correct, any problems that arise out of that mistake is on the homeowner. Due to such concerns it is always advisable to get a current survey before buying or building on a piece of property, even if the current stakes look to be accurate. A small inconsistency in a angular measurement can result in hundreds of square feet and possibly acres of land to be incorrectly transferred or used. It is usually all innocent on each parties part since they are depending on the survey or the posts in the ground that have been passed down for generations as the property lines. No one is trying to steal property, but when long standing property lines come under dispute, it will take time to sort out the truth and reach an agreement that all can approve without becoming enemies. After all you are neighbors that have to live next to one another, anger and demands will not solve this issue. Neither of you created the discrepancy, it usually existed, unbeknownst to the owners long before either of you were there, however it is left to you to resolve. Get a second survey if you dispute the first one. If both surveys agree then the matter is settled and you can both move on. If not, then leave it up to a court to decide if you can’t come to an agreement, that is what they are for. No matter what, anger and passion will enter into this disagreement. Handling that becomes more of the issue that the actual line dispute itself. Getting a third, unrelated and uninvolved party to listen to each side can sometimes help diffuse the issue.
The waste site is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM through 4 PM and Sunday from 9 AM through 2 PM. We are open on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
Our Garden Club is always looking for anyone interested in assisting them in caring for our planters in the downtown. The person to call is Kim Kocher(989-899-1066) or Bev Mason(989-305-8823) Again I want to thank these hard working volunteers for what they give to keep our community looking beautiful.
As always if you ever have any questions, comments or concerns regarding our community please contact me. I am in the office Monday – Friday 7:30 – 4:00 at 989-728-2811 or my cell at 989-984-7073 or by email supervisor@plainfieldtwpmi.com.
Fred Lewis – Supervisor Plainfield Township