Bob's caboose build

[ParTaxer]

Sorry to hear this Bob! I bet there is at least one migrant worker living in a school bus or someother substandard housing in this county. Your problem started with properly asking the permission. We had a saying at work " if you don't ask; they can't say NO". Best of luck buddy. We're all pulling for you.

Mike W

[wagondude]

We had a saying at work " if you don't ask; they can't say NO".

Mike W

That can also be stated as "it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission". The only problem here is that not asking for permission can get expensive before forgiveness is granted. Keep working the system, Bob. If anyone can find a way, you can.

[Wobbly Wheels]

True enough Bill but, at the end of the day, Bob's 'structure' is mobile (a chattel) so it's not as though he would be facing a demo order. The worst they could do is give him notice to move it. That's a hassle in itself of course, but not nearly as much as if he was building a fixed structure. THAT is when they have you by the...ummmm...you know what I mean.

It would get expensive only if he really wanted to stay on that property for good. I suspect that if he moved his rig to the property and no one complained, he would never hear a word from the county...but that's easy for me to say with nothing at stake.

Just like how, if someone complained about migrants in a bus, an order would be issued and they'd move the bus.
Though living in a bus doesn't have to be "substandard"...

[Woodbutcher]

This is the part that bothers me the most. Rather then seeing if there is a way to make Bob's idea work his main concern is for his own job.....So sad.

Those Counties that do not follow the State mandated building regulations are subject to having their charter dissolved and are subject to suite by the State. I for one do not want my department dissolved as my position along with 5 other hard working professional County employee would no doubt be eliminated. And most important, the State mandated jobs of permitting and inspection that protect the citizens of our County in all areas of the building process would also go by the wayside. Loosing 17 years as a devoted County employee for allowing someone to live in a space not recognized as adequate by State law is not a path I would choose to take.


Bob can you back the caboose up to the storage building and attach the two buildings together. Take the wheels off, ( no longer portable) and meet the 750 Sq ft minimum. It also seems that the state is in violation of it's own law as they house hundreds of prisoners in less then 750 sq ft. Tell them you are willing to wave your rights to a single family residence and you will settle for the same rights as a prisoner, but you will feed yourself and pay for your own cable TV. Good luck, it's tough to fight city haul.

[mezmo]

Hi Bob,

What a weird letter turning you down ! That guy'd be a perfect functionary
in a totalitarian state. It does seem that a lot of counties are adopting
zoning laws that are only meant to help the affluent and keep the bankers
happy as well as increase the tax basis. In a rural county most of them are ridiculous.
I can see building codes for safety purposes, but some requirements are just plain
arbitrary. If you can satisfy the safety goal in another fashion then it should
be allowed. Building codes are always supposed to be the minimum that's
acceptable, but they are often a false reassurance, I think. Just watch some Mike Holmes
shows and you'll realize that. That is a big problem with Tiny Houses too, in general,
from what I gather. They'd rather people be homeless than self reliant.

So, is the building big enough to park it inside ? As long as you don't have
flammables inside and have an easy fire use exit, no one would be the wiser,
and it'd help with the heating bills [making provision to vent the caboose's
hvac etc. outside, obviously]. There's got to be a way around this.

Also, I thought that Indiana had laws that allowed manufactured homes anywhere ?
Maybe you could look into that and see if anything could be gotten through on that.
I'm sure it's probably slanted toward factory built structures, but maybe there's a
loophole in it somewhere you could use.

Good luck and put your creative juices to work on it.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Ned B]

time for a variance hearing?

[bobhenry]

I have literally just set my behind in my seat at work. Long crazy weekend. Opened my e mail and found round 2.

Need a good laugh! Flows from bottom upward

[color=#4040BF]RE: Small homeMonday, May 6, 2013 1:00 PMFrom: "BOB HENRY" <[email protected]>View contact detailsTo: "Ken Brown" <[email protected]>"you will need it as your structure appears to fall far short of code compliance in several areas."

Rather than random sarcasm could you perhaps point areas you feel may be lacking so I can at least offer a rebuttal higher up the ladder.

On another point ,Should I incorporate the tiny house into the existing 1500 sq foot building via a short hallway or breezeway making it one structure would my 1500 square foot recreation / hobby/living room then get me beyond the 750 benchmark and place me in the lawful folks ?

Thanks for your help,

Bob Henry

[/colo--- On Mon, 5/6/13, Ken Brown <[email protected]> wrote:



From: Ken Brown <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Small home
To: "'BOB HENRY'" <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, May 6, 2013, 11:37 AM


Mr. Henry



You are correct, the State of Indiana does at times make exceptions for all kinds things. All building issues are handled by the Department of Homeland Security Fire and Building Services. There are plan review people that address building design and code compliance of all different kinds of structures. If there is an variance needed for your structure because of size for dwelling spaces, I would start there.

A number for the State Plan Review is 317-232-1426.

Good luck with your project, you will need it as your structure appears to fall far short of code compliance in several areas.



Ken Brown

Tippecanoe County Building Commissioner

20 North 3rd Street

Lafayette, IN 47901

765-423-9225

[email protected]



From: BOB HENRY [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 11:12 AM
To: Ken Brown
Subject: Re: Small home



Ken , Thank you for the reply but I need your help to direct me to where I now need to turn. It apparently needs to be addressed at the state level so again I ask "What can we do and where do I turn. " I have contacted the govenor and the inspector generals offices but you may have other ideas. I have heard of special exceptions for mother in law type cottages added to properties for care of the aged and disabled for live-on-site health care providers. There has to be some manner of exception that can be drawn up by a creative mind.



Bob Henry

[bobhenry]

I need everyones help, support, input, and any ideas on this thread as soon as possible. I want to direct copy it to the powers above him, to show I am not a nut and there are other tiny house supporters out there. I will copy it next Monday and post it with my case to the folks he has sent me to.

Any one notice this......"Back to your structure, it is neither a RV or a travel trailer or a mobile home."

[bobhenry]

We had a saying at work " if you don't ask; they can't say NO".

Mike W

That can also be stated as "it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission". The only problem here is that not asking for permission can get expensive before forgiveness is granted. Keep working the system, Bob. If anyone can find a way, you can.

As stated in a post above above the landlord wanted no reprecutions from the county gestapo. If it were just me it would have gone in stealth.

[bobhenry]

Bob,
It's time to fight fire with fire. Ask him to reconsider by written letter. Mention that you are thinking of filing a Fair Housing Act complaint with the federal government. The Fair Housing Act is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act is intended to eliminate indirect discrimination that result from setting artificial housing standards that "price out" classes of people. I would also CC: the county legal staff.
Tom

Any where to turn will hear from me !

Thanks for the ideas !

[bobhenry]

This is the part that bothers me the most. Rather then seeing if there is a way to make Bob's idea work his main concern is for his own job.....So sad.

Those Counties that do not follow the State mandated building regulations are subject to having their charter dissolved and are subject to suite by the State. I for one do not want my department dissolved as my position along with 5 other hard working professional County employee would no doubt be eliminated. And most important, the State mandated jobs of permitting and inspection that protect the citizens of our County in all areas of the building process would also go by the wayside. Loosing 17 years as a devoted County employee for allowing someone to live in a space not recognized as adequate by State law is not a path I would choose to take.


Bob can you back the caboose up to the storage building and attach the two buildings together. Take the wheels off, ( no longer portable) and meet the 750 Sq ft minimum. It also seems that the state is in violation of it's own law as they house hundreds of prisoners in less then 750 sq ft. Tell them you are willing to wave your rights to a single family residence and you will settle for the same rights as a prisoner, but you will feed yourself and pay for your own cable TV. Good luck, it's tough to fight city haul.

Woodbutcher, I saved yours for last so many good arguments. I love the jail cell senario best.

Folks I need more of these kinds of constructive arguments to take up the ladder. If you have any good ideas please toss them in.

[S. Heisley]

Bob, I truly believe that, sometimes, the worst thing you can do is to fight government. Government officials can get pretty nasty and can have lots of clout, the kind that could cost you way too much in fines, petitions, and even tow-away fees. There is an old saying that, when faced with a mountain, you should not quit but rather go around or tunnel under it. If you have the "will" (and you do!), you will find the way! But, please be careful. We want to see you succeed.

[bobhenry]

I love jousting with windmills !

Here is yet another "NOT MY JOB" polititian.

I thought they worked for us ! Hell they are insiders and too damn lazy to even attempt to help me by pointing me in the right direction.

Flag this messageAdvice, HenryMonday, May 6, 2013 1:46 PMFrom: "Shumaker, Todd" <[email protected]>Add sender to ContactsTo: [email protected]r Mr. Henry,



Thank you for contacting our office. I understand from your question that you have some concerns about residence requirements in the State of Indiana.



Please note that the jurisdiction of the State Ethics Commission is limited to the rules found in IC 4-2-6 and 42 IAC, the Code of Ethics. These rules only apply to state officers, employees, and special state appointees in the executive branch of Indiana State Government and do not cover issues related to residence requirements in the State. Your best resource in finding an answer to your question would likely be a private attorney who should be able to advise you on how best to proceed.



Sincerely,



Todd Shumaker, Attorney
Office of Inspector General & State Ethics Commission





CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It contains confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by replying to our e-mail administrator and destroying and deleting all copies of the original message. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. You may also reach the sender by phone at (317) 232-3850, or by fax at (317) 232-0707. To reply to the e-mail directly, send an e-mail to: [email protected].





-----Original Message-----

From: ROBERT HENRY [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 9:37 AM

To: IG Info; Carrasco, Cynthia (Cyndi)

Subject: Advice



Name

ROBERT HENRY



Email

[email protected]



Phone

765-538-2580



State Agency

BUILDING COMMISSIONER



Description of Your State Occupation

TAXPAYER



What is your ethics question?

I HAVE SPENT A YEAR AND SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BUILDING A TINYHOUSE ON WHEELS AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED I CAN NOT LIVE IN IT AS A FULLTIME RESIDENCE BECAUSE IT DOENN'T MEET THE 750 SQ FT MINIMUMREQUIREMENT AS EDICTED BY THE STATE. wHAT RECOURSE OR OPTION DO I HAVEOTHER THAN MOVING OUT OF STATE?



A LINK TO MY BUILDING EFFORTS....



viewtopic.php?f=48&t=47804

[bobhenry]

Had to find my rebuttal I just sent.

Dear Mr. Schumaker

When I have a county demigod telling me in sarcastic tones my project is substandard and voilates certain statutes for rv's and mobile homes then in another breath my tiny house is neither rv or mobile home or permenant building I become somewhat confused what he thinks he knows without taking time for an inspection that I requested.. There is no established precidence for a tiny house, yet he dismisses me as scum on his shoe. If I had funds for an attorney I would not have my house of 24 years up on a walk away short sale. Therefore I am trying to find which of our state polititions that may actually want to intercede in my behalf.

I know. I know. When I am done I will have to move out of state. OH well it's on wheels !

[ParTaxer]

What defines "full time residence". If you need to break up a certain amount of days, take a road trip with the camper and return. If you really want to scare them, apply to open a mobile home park. You of course could be the only resident.