Dispute Over Property at Neillsville Planning Commission and City Council Meeting
Thursday, June 27th, 2013 -- 8:57 AM
-A Planning Commission Meeting started out the evening before the regular Neillsville City Council Meeting on Tuesday.The commission was given a draft of the City of Neillsville?s Comprehensive Plan. The commission was told to look over the draft for any errors, typos, or items they would like reworded or added to the plan before a final copy is approved.
The big item up for discussion during the meeting regarded the property on 303 West 15th Street. Back in April, the home at this location, owned by Donald Schutte, experienced a large fire and was considered a total loss.
The city called Schutte about the property numerous times asking him to take care of the hazard. Schutte informed the city that he was waiting on the gas company. Dave Flynn, Director of Public Works for Neillsville, called the gas company inquiring about the issue.
The gas company informed him that they would be happy to remove the line, but Schutte refused to pay them the $600 fee to do so. The city informed Schutte that he had to take care of the problem by the 24th of this month and if he didn?t, the city would give the gas company permission to do the work and he would be billed.
Schutte accused the city, police and fire officials of not conducting a thorough investigation of the incident. His insurance company, however, completed their investigation and paid him for the incident. He then decide to give the property to Neillsville by way of ?quick claim deed.?
The planning commission and Neillsville Mayor Steve Mabie were clearly angry about Schutte?s actions accusing him of trying to have the taxpayers of Neillsville take care of his property. ?We need to turn down accepting this property,? said Mayor Mabie.
The planning commission agreed and a recommendation to turn down accepting the property was sent to the common council where it was also turned down. ?It would be irresponsible of us to make the taxpayers of Neillsville take care of that home,? Mayor Mabie said.
However, both the commission and the common council feels that the home needs to be dealt with as they called it a ?nuisance and a hazard.? They also worry about kids getting into the home and getting hurt.
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