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Decatur County APC moves several show-cause cases to court and grants 30-day extensions in revitalization docket
Summary
During its May 6 meeting the Area Plan Commission forwarded unrepresented show-cause cases to magistrate court and granted multiple 30-day extensions to property owners and representatives working to clean up code violations under the Revitalization Project docket.
The Decatur County Area Plan Commission used its May 6 meeting to process multiple show-cause matters under the Revitalization Project docket. The panel emphasized that it can grant time-limited extensions or forward unresolved matters to magistrate court; once the office serves papers the court process follows.
The commission voted to forward several cases with no representative present to court, including R2026-9 (James and Bonnie Smith) and R2026-10 (John Hugel). "Having no one, I will need a motion... I make a motion to forward on to the court system, project show cause hearing R2026-9," a member said, and the board voted aye.
When property owners or their representatives appeared, the commission commonly granted 30-day extensions to allow cleanup. In R2026-12 (David and Justin Israel) the board discussed which parcel was under review, recent photos and cleanup plans; the applicants asked for 30 days and the commission granted a 30-day extension. Jeremy Guerrero, representing a land trust for R2026-13 (620 North), said his group had only recently received notice; staff described complaints about trash, vehicles and rodent concerns and the commission granted 30 days for cleanup. Dino Buljubasic, property manager for a White Oak Hill land trust (R2026-14), told the board the structure is uninhabitable, repossessed in 2022 and is being marketed with plans to clear overgrowth and secure windows; a 30-day extension was granted.
Commissioners noted that granting repeated 30-day extensions effectively lengthens the period before court action and that the office retains discretion to move a property to court if progress is insufficient. Several cases (including R2026-8, R2026-11 and R2026-16) were either continued, determined to be under active remediation, or reported closed by staff.
Next steps: Properties with granted extensions must show measurable cleanup within the 30-day period or the office may forward the matter to magistrate court; those already forwarded will proceed through the court docket.
