Webster Town Board urged to enforce zoning ordinance

By Rose Hooper

The structure, or "shack," as Wells referred to it, is not only an eyesore and health hazard, but it is in non-compliance with Webster's zoning ordinances, he said.

The structure, which had been abandoned for many years, is currently being modified to use as a "makeshift weekend" residence, said Wells.

"They don't have a zoning certificate; they don't have a building permit; and it doesn't meet the building requirements," Wells, a member of the town's zoning committee, said.

Pointing to the large crowd in attendance at the meeting, Wells said, "We are asking the board to look at your ordinances, then look at this structure, and make the owners comply. We are asking you to enforce what you have on the books because we want to know our ordinances are real and that you stand behind them."

Neighbor Ron Rhodes concurred with Wells.

"My wife and I have spent thousands of dollars renovating our old house; we've landscaped and tried to fit in with the community, a community that looks like a Norman Rockwell painting.

"Then there's that old shack, stuck up on stumps and vines growing over an abandoned car - why, my chickens had a better home than that," Rhodes said. "That place is our weakest link; it's just unneighborly. We think Mrs. Dettmar should respect the neighborhood and clean up that mess."

Property owner Grace Buchanan Dettmar, also present at the meeting, told the board that place was built by her grandfather. "I had no idea I was out of compliance with any ordinance," said Dettmar, a Dallas, N.C., resident. Her plans, she said, are to put a double-wide manufactured home on the property.

But one Briarwood resident said she thought trailers were against the town's regulations. Webster Mayor Steve Gray pointed out that such structures are against the restrictive covenants of the Briarwood Road subdivision, but not against Webster's restrictions.

"Although her property adjoins it, Mrs. Dettmar is not is the Briarwood subdivision," Gray said. "She can put a double-wide there as long as it is at least 24 by 60 feet, has the proper pitched roof, is underpinned and meets our other town requirements. And that includes she must live there herself; she cannot rent the property."

Town attorney Orville Coward Jr. asked Dettmar," Are you telling the board that you will discontinue using that building as a dwelling?"

Dettmar replied, "Yes."

"When?" Coward asked.

"Tomorrow," she said.

"Good," Coward said, "because you can't doubt the board's resolve to enforce its zoning ordinances. They've done it time and time again."

Board member Raymond Ledford said, "Remember the letters we sent out to all residents asking you what you wanted to see changed or remain the same in Webster? Well, your response was to keep Webster the kind of neighborhood community we can be proud of and respect. That why I, for one, think we should follow our zoning ordinance to the letter."

The board endorsed the following motion: "The Webster Board of Commissioners allow Grace Dettmar the opportunity to honor her word that after today (Sept. 13) no one will be living in that building (or any other dwelling) that is out of compliance on her property.

"As long as she doesn't meet all the requirements that she should be meeting, the first incident that she does not keep her word, then the mayor will contact the town attorney and have him write the letter notifying her that she is in violation and whatever appropriate action to be taken at that point."

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