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Residents and owner spar over structure at Beach Stop 42 as State reviews permitting
Summary
Residents pressed the Village about a structure built at Beach Stop 42; the Village says the State (EGLE) is reviewing the matter and the Village will "step down" pending the State's determination. The property owner says she applied for permits and believed she acted in good faith.
The Village of Michiana heard multiple public comments May 9 about a structure built at Beach Stop 42 that residents worry is improperly sited or permitted. Council President Tim McCarthy told residents the State is currently reviewing the issue and the Village "would be stepping down at this time until we hear back from the State."
Property owner Caroline Rogers said she applied for a permit with EGLE and the Building Department and, speaking to the meeting, "was not trying to be defensive but she didn’t know she was doing anything wrong." Building Inspector Bill Lambert told the council the structure had been permitted to a different address than where it was actually built, a discrepancy he flagged during his report. Several residents, including Bill Schutt, emphasized the Village owns the roads in that area and that a road still exists where the structure stands.
Residents asked whether they should contact EGLE to express concerns. Tim McCarthy said he could not direct individuals and characterized contacting EGLE as a personal choice. The council did not take a formal action on the Stop 42 structure during the meeting; multiple participants noted the State-level review means the Village would defer until EGLE completes its review.
The Village did not announce a deadline for the State review and offered no timeline for further Village action. Several public commenters repeated urgency and safety concerns; Lynn and Joel Altschul described their concern as "extreme."
