Court orders Michigan homeowners to tear down mansion built too close to neighboring property. Lauren Podell reports. 9NEWS.com 2/21/12
http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1464647987001
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> Court orders Michigan homeowners to tear down mansion built too close to neighboring property. Lauren Podell reports. 9NEWS.com 2/21/12
Not knowing anymore than what is shown... I'd say, as usual, both sides (or more) are at fault. The neighbor that brought action is probably a ultra stickler for rules and regs, and the new neighbor was probably as obnoxious the other way saying "well, I'll put up what I want". The local P&Z office sounds like they've been lax over the years, so that doesn't help either.
Anything that has been in court since 2004 only means one thing also... the only people that "won" were the lawyers.
Carl
Nobody tears down million dollar buildings just because of an initial court order. This lawsuit will get bigger before it gets smaller, and there is no doubt that the permitting agencies will be included.
But the comment about the "...township does not enforce those covenants..." is, or at least was, a very hot topic. It almost makes me suspect a "Site Condominium".
I don't know if they are exclusive to MI, but they resemble a subdivision, but are more like a PUD. Each "unit" is a plot of land and not a cubicle of air. All the other typical association items like limited common area, general common area, easements, building materials, etc are spelled out in the lengthly master deed.
If so, that 100' spacing side yard would be a limited common area to be enjoyed by the adjoiners. And typically it remains a civil matter and is never enforced by the governing body, unless it may violate some fire code, well/septic separation, or something along those lines.
Who knows based on that short news story. I never liked that part of the state anyway, too close to Detroit.
ouch... probably had a seven year old title report 🙂
Think how much more money has been invested in the battle. I'm thinking it's time for a convenient fire while the property owners are on a cruise to Alaska or somewhere. Hope their home insurance policy is a big one.
>Thom filed the lawsuit before construction began, saying the planned home violated Lockwood Hills subdivision rules because it would be 80 feet from the Thoms' home instead of 100 feet and 28 feet from the side property line instead of 40 feet.
I was somewhat sympathetic to the owners until I read this. Now I think there is idiocy on both sides. This isn't a slight mis-measurement that was noticed after the house was built. This is a 20 ft difference that was pointed out while there was still time to correct it.
what kind of mc.mansion can you get for $122 a square foot? $122 gets you a pretty simple home in these parts, our mini mc.mansions are running $300-$500 per square foot, custom $500-$700 and extra special: even more.