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Commissioners Postpone Ruling in Kippenbrock Property-Maintenance Case, Set June 16 Review
Summary
DuBois County commissioners heard testimony from Solid Waste about clutter, unsecured storage and unregistered vehicles at a Kippenbrock property and agreed to give the owners two weeks to comply with cleanup recommendations before taking action.
DuBois County commissioners on Monday delayed a decision on a property-maintenance enforcement case against the Kippenbrock family, giving the owners until the board’s June 16 meeting to show progress on cleanup steps recommended by county solid-waste staff.
Carlos Duco winner, representing the DuBois County Solid Waste Management District, told the commissioners the case began with an ordinance violation notice in November 2023 and that the district documented large quantities of materials stored along the edges of a parcel on Old State Road 64 that adjoin neighbors and a public road. The district’s photos and report show stacked firewood, metal containers and multiple vehicles parked near the property line.
Why this matters: Solid-waste staff said the spread of stored items and visible vehicles is creating neighbor complaints, potential safety concerns near the roadway and alleged noncompliance with the county’s property-maintenance ordinance. Commissioners said they wanted to encourage voluntary compliance but also to protect neighbors and public safety if the owner failed to act.
Solid-waste staff recommended specific steps: move items stored along the property edges into a central storage area within 15 days; enclose that storage area with a privacy fence or structure within 30 days to block visibility from adjoining properties and public roads; and require proof of current registration and operability for visible vehicles within 15 days, with removal or mitigation within 30 days for those that do not meet requirements. Carlos also recommended the county seek reimbursement of enforcement resources and an additional fine if compliance was not achieved.
Owners Lance, Kurt and Cynthia Kippenbrock spoke at the hearing and said they are arranging removal of metal and other items and expected a dumpster delivery the day of the meeting. Lance said vehicles held for friends and family would be removed; Cynthia said the work would continue but noted weather and personal obligations have slowed progress.
Action and next steps: Commissioner Zach (chair) moved and the board voted to postpone a final ruling; the case will return to the commissioners on June 16, and DuBois County staff will inspect for measurable progress beforehand. If the property shows insufficient cleanup by the rescheduled hearing, commissioners indicated they would consider enforcement fines and resource reimbursement as recommended by solid-waste staff.
Context and clarifications: Carlos said some materials on the property appear to be part of a firewood business, which may explain on-site wood and equipment; the county’s property-maintenance ordinance permits business storage but requires it be kept in a tidy manner and not present a nuisance. In this case, staff emphasis was on centralizing and screening storage so neighbors and the public are not subject to persistent visibility and safety concerns.
What to watch: The June 16 meeting will include a site-condition review and a formal action by the board if staff determines insufficient progress was made.
