Residents Unhappy With Basketball Goal Enforcement(posted Sept 11) Speedway Resident Tia Dori vented her frustration at the Speedway Town Council during its September 10 meeting over the enforcement of trivial zoning codes like having portable basketballs goals in the public right-of-way. She blamed the council for code enforcement Officer Jereme Howery issuing her a citation that contained a 72 hour compliance requirement to remove the goal. She pointed out that having portable basketball goals obstructing the right-of-way is a Marion County Ordinance that is seldom enforced in the county, and questioned why Speedway should be actively enforcing it after apparently ignoring the situation for years. She told the council not to lose sight of the bigger picture of the blighted former Burger King building and Turn One bar. Dori believed those buildings had a far greater impact on the town that is contributing to driving people away from Speedway and driving property values down. She inquired why she had only 72 hours to comply when Pizza Hut has not been forced to hurry along with its remodeling of the Burger King on Crawfordsville Road. She warned the council that if they continue to nitpick over enforcing zoning codes like RVs and trailers parked in residential areas, it will further drive people away. "I ask the council to stop looking for things that are going to run families out of town," she said. She indicated that this type of enforcement will only increase the number of income rentals because of the stagnant real estate market. She included herself in the potential departure list. She cited that 67 homes are listed for sale on the multiple listing as of September 10 and that did not include homes for sale by owners or income rentals. Her interpretation of the high number of homes for sale meant people are not happy with the town's current conditions. Dori's recent market analysis indicated that she could not sell her home for the amount she paid five years ago, and that she would not take a loss but instead turn it into income rental. Dori noted the town's decision to take down the basketball goals at the parks has limited the youth's availability of places to play basketball. She noted that her driveway is in a slant and prevents her kids from playing basketball in the driveway. Dori's opinions received applause from many of the residents in attendance who were vocally supportive of her case. Howery explained that he has enforced 47 different items since he started and that basketball goals were not at the top of his list when he first started. He said some complaints were initiated last winter when snow plows hit the goals. He also cited complaints from trash haulers, noting that the goals interfered with their functions. He noted that he cited eight homeowners on Elaine Street for the blocking the right-of-way with basketball goals and is working his way through town. He said he has talked to Mark Watson of Pizza Hut to find out why building activity remains dormant. He explained the initial delay had to do with architectural problems that created a dilemma for the corporation whether to tear the building down instead of pursuing building renovation. He said was assured that permits are now in place for them to begin work by September 22 until a September 10 phone call occurred. He said Watson informed him of a new issue concerning a wellfield protection area that could delay the project for five weeks. However, they were committed to cleaning up the dirt mounds and start landscaping within the next couple of weeks while they wait to resolve the well head permit issues. Howery said he was told that an aquifer was discovered running through the property that feeds into 76 wells. Councilman Gary Raikes indicated that it is his goal for Speedway to be better than Marion County and that code enforcement is important to better the community. He said that hiring a code enforcement officer was resident driven fueled by their concerns the way the town was looking. The council also agreed to waive vendor permit fees for the Speedway Parade and Community Day that is organized by Julia Pratt, Susan Luebbert, Connie Norton, Amy Carroll, and Linda Karn to celebrate community spirit. The issue developed when for-profit businesses wanted to sell items at the event. Councilman Dean Farmer was hesitant because he thought it would set a precedent that would eventually become an out of control issue of outside vendors participating and taking advantage of the situation. Raikes' position differed than Farmer's. He contended it is important for the council to support Speedway businesses because they have an invested interest in the community. Councilor Lu Hillmer explained the issue is just raising to the forefront that the council needs to address the vendor permit ordinances 1087 and 1088 which were introduced June 25. Councilman Jeff Hartman said the council needs to address small scale events and that Riley's Ride for Life should be reimbursed. Hartman said he received complaints about the town requiring he non-profit entity to have a permit when the event was to raise money for Riley's Children Hospital. The council approved the waiver to exempt the parade from vendors fees and permits 4-1 and to reimburse Riley's fees 5-0. |
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