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Resident alleges unpermitted dwelling at 1882 Louisiana Road; asks county to enforce zoning
Summary
Warren McGill told commissioners a structure at 1882 Louisiana Road has been occupied without required permits and said county planning and building staff failed to document inspections; he asked the commission to use enforcement remedies in the county zoning regulations.
Warren McGill of 2256 Haskell Road urged the Franklin County Commission on March 12 to enforce the county's zoning and building codes, saying he observed an apparently habitable structure at 1882 Louisiana Road that he believes was completed and occupied without proper permits or inspections.
McGill said he first contacted the building department last spring about a structure that appeared to have no proper footing and was supported on used telephone poles. He said a building official later told him the structure was deemed a “chicken house” and a permit was subsequently issued, but a Public Records (CORA) request returned no records for that property — no applications, no footing, framing or electrical inspection records, and no site visit documentation.
McGill told the commission another, larger structure at the same address was later built again supported by telephone poles, with residential windows and siding. He said the building later had electrical service and a second‑floor apartment added after a storm; McGill said that apartment lacked required separations for habitable space and posed a life‑safety concern. He said the structures “depreciate the value of my property and is a nuisance that needs to be removed.”
Why it matters: McGill cited provisions of the Franklin County zoning regulations that establish the planning director’s duty to administer and enforce zoning, building and occupancy rules and that authorize the commission to seek injunctions or other remedies to prevent unlawful construction or occupancy. He urged the commission to engage the enforcement powers it adopted when it approved the regulations.
Commission response and next steps: McGill finished within the public‑comment time limit and said he would be available after the meeting to discuss details. The commission did not announce any immediate enforcement action during the March 12 meeting; no staff response or formal direction was recorded on the meeting record provided.
Context and evidence: McGill said photographs he took show ongoing occupancy and alterations. He said his CORA request returned documents that contradicted field conditions, and he asked that county officials follow the enforcement steps available under the zoning regulations rather than leaving property owners to pursue private legal action.
