Minutes-9/22/1999

Board Member Janssen said that if he had this money invested, he thought that one would want to be certain to know rules, requirements and placement of pins. Mr. Schott explained that he had OK’d the retaining wall, but had not approved garages in this location. He asked City Engineer Mike Hart if he recalled his request to Mr. Sewell for pin locations in this questioned area. Mr. Hart agreed that this request had been made in public session of the City Council. John Rummelhart questioned whether a building inspector would be responsible for a builder staking a building site. Mr. Sewell’s daughter said a building inspector would not be responsible. Mr. Sewll said, “A garage is a parking space. That’s what we’re calling it.” Mr. Rummelhart said, “Mr. Sewell is trying to blow smoke.” Mr. Sewell daughter said, “We are trying to create a large tax base for the City of Tiffin.” Mr. Sewell, said that those one should see the work being done by Mike Evans in Coralville. Where OBX ½” is used in Tiffin, Mr. Evans is using 1/8” cardboard. “The buildings I am building are 8” concrete and super safe. If a variance is not allowed we will go to court where the city inspector is responsible. Mr. Rummelhart asked if the distances could be verified, as he did not know who had checked these lines. He also reminded Board Members of their duty to follow the criteria outlined within the ordinance. Board Member Hudepohl thanked Mr. Rummelhart for once again reminding members of their duties and informed him that members had read rules and information in regard to variances prior to meeting time. Mr. Sewell explained that after John Rummelhart purchase the lots to his direct north, Mr. Rummelhart had phoned him and accused him of removing dirt from his property. Clarence spent three days of machine work at $60.00/hour trying to remedy this complaint from Mr. Rummelhart, and Mr. Rummelhart would not even cut weeds which is required by city ordinance. Mr. Sewell’s daughter agreed that Mr. Rummelhart had been awful on the phone, and the family had heard Mr. Rummelhart screaming on the phone to her father. The entire family could hear every work that he said on the phone. Mr. Rummelhart’s ground had been seeded for him, and it had probably never been seeded to start with. Mr. Sewell said that the Banker Steve Berner could verify the work the he had done to be a good neighbor to Mr. Rummelhart. Mr. Rummelhart indicated that he would be glad to have topos done that would prove trespassing done. Mr. Sewell said that he felt that he had more than repaid Mr. Rummelhart Board Member Hudepohl indicated that there was probably little the Board of Adjustment could do regarding neighbor squabbling that has apparently been going on between Mr. Sewell and Mr. Rummelhart. Motion Hudepohl, second Boyd to deny a request from Mr. Clarence Sewell for a variance on setback requirements as prescribed under City Zoning Ordinance for Lots 23,24,25,26 of Reeve Subdivision II in the City of Tiffin. Ayes: Hudepohl, Janssen, Madden and Boyd. Absent: Kee. Nays: None. Motion carried. Noted that the City of Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of this request. Motion Hudepohl, second Boyd to adjourn. Motion carried. 7:25 p.m.