Goodrich- Though the Family Party Store along M-15 was ravaged by fire more than three years ago, it still stands as a fixture in the local landscape. But not for long. At least, not if things go according to the plans of village council representatives.
The council approved a public hearing to take place at 7:30 p.m., March 12, with store owner Chris Valente to determine which course of action should be pursued in the matter on the lower floor of the Gordon H. Bachmann Department of Public Works, 10242 Hegel Road.
Village Council President Ed York said Valente seemed willing to demolish the property.
‘We’re going to follow through with the legal procedure to guarantee that he does that,? said York.
The store has been closed since suffering a fire on Dec.14, 2003. Little repair work has been done to the building since that time, and council members have said the building is not only an eyesore, but poses a danger to residents.
At a Nov. 13, 2006 council meeting, Village Attorney Thomas McKenny gave council instruction on the necessary steps to address the situation and the council unanimously voted to adopt the Michigan Housing Law. Village Building Inspector Matt Place was designated as local enforcer of that law.
Place conducted an inspection of the building and will report his findings during the hearing, which will be overseen by a hearing officer from village contractor, Wade Trim. Testimony as to the state of the structure, provided by Place, will be followed by his recommendation as to whether the building should be repaired or demolished.
Council will then either overrule or affirm the recommendation of the building inspector, giving Valente 60 days to abide by the ruling or 20 days to appeal the decision in circuit court.
If Valente fails to take action in those 60 days, McKenny said council will be authorized to hire someone to do the work on his behalf and obtain reimbursement by way of a lien put on the property.
‘We’re going through the proper due process,? said York at the Feb. 12 village council meeting, ‘so if (Valente) does not take care of it, we will.?