Funny story -- not ha-ha funny, but still somewhat amusing. And the joke is definitely on me.
I opened up the Lakeland Times yesterday to find my name all over an article about the June Manitowish Waters town board meeting -- at which I was present as I was seeking an answer to a clairification I had requested at the May board meeting about the town's Uniform Dwelling Code Ordinance. I am planning an addition to a non-owner occupied 1940's era home and my belief is that neither the state's nor the town's UDC ordinance applies to my project and I was present at the board meetings to press my case.
Short version -- the town board members don't agree with my interpretation, and furthermore as it became apparent to me that it is their intent to have projects such as mine fall within the scope of the ordinance, I decided to throw in the towel. We agreed to disagree. I did suggest that they review the language of the town ordinance to specifically speak to projects such as mine as I feel it is inadequate to cover their intent.
Now the funny part -- Now keep in mind that I have not started this project yet -- the Times reporter got it completely wrong, mixing up references to UDC permits and ordinances with zoning permits and ordinances. The discussion had nothing to do with zoning, but somehow the reporter has it that the zoning administrator is going to be issuing me a citation for an ordinance violation! And the joke on me part is that I am a member of the Manitowish Waters Planning Commission -- and we are responsible for the zoning ordinances! Oh, the corruption!
