Allegan County District Court Judge William Baillargeon this week ruled against Martin Township in its attempts to collect fees for zoning enforcement against independent business owner Nathan Knight.
Knight, owner of L&L Materials at 1082 10th St. in Martin, was cited for constructing a barn without a permit and excavating at a nearby swamp without a $1 million performance bond
The township has maintained Knight owes more than $15,000 to the township for recovery of the costs of its enforcement efforts. However, the judge ruled that compliance with the ordinance regulations was sufficient.
The controversy has continued since late last year when the township and zoning enforcement administrator Professional Code Inspections took Knight to court for non-compliance.
The township has contended Knight built a non-permitted barn structure on the property with no permit, originally claiming it was for agricultural use.
Kirk Scharphorn Jr. of Professional Code Inspections said Knight as of last spring had paid more than $1,000 in fines and fees. He said inside plumbing had been removed and electrical permits pulled to make it stand as an open pole barn as an accessory building for his mining operation.
The board decided last spring to impose a fine of $250 per day starting Feb. 14 until compliance was met. Knight, who kore than once failed to appear in court, also was to be charged a $500 late fee if and when he obtained a permit.
Knight, in an e-mailed message to Townbroadcast, said, “Yesterday (Thursday) in court they tried getting me to pay them over $6,000 for fines and the judge threw it out due to all the lies they stated and on and on crap. They get nothing.
“I will be pursuing federal court charges against Martin Township in coming days.”
COVER PHOTO: The Martin Township Board (from left) Jack Sipple, John Schippers, Glenn Leep, Sue Tiemeyer and Rachelle Smit.