Board code enforcement or extortion?
Thanks for your coverage of the Lake County Board of Supervisors hearing regarding carports. Joyce Krier hits the nail on the head when she calls it extortion. It is not uncommon to find a lot in the unincorporated areas of the county that is 50 x 100 ft.
That”s a 5,000 sq ft lot. Lake County wants to tell you what you can and cannot do on 20 feet in front, five feet on the sides and 15 feet at the rear of the property. The 20 feet in front takes 1,000 square feet, the side setback takes take another 650 square feet and the taking up the rear is 750 square feet.
If the County wishes to dictate to a homeowner that they determine what 2,400 square feet of your 5,000 square foot lot can be used for, then there should be an adjustment to property tax rates. This is backhanded eminent domain, where the owners get to pay for everything and provide upkeep all for the code enforcement standards.
I was very pleased to see common sense (which is quickly becoming oxymoronic) prevail in the Board Chambers as this issue needs to be carefully looked at. Homes were built on these small lots (via County permits) and many without garages. Generally, you will find low and middle income folks, disabled people and seniors residing on them. Is this another front on the war on the middle class and poor?
The survey of the Lucerne Community indicated we do want more code enforcement in this town. But we want it regarding real issues, not cosmetic tomfoolery that results in folks having to pay for use permits and variances to use their own property in properly maintained and secure manner. All the while, the Lake Sands and Lucerne Motel sit and fester.
Donna Christopher
Lucerne
