Case Study: Lifting of Stop Work Order

For Immediate Release | Sep 03, 2012
https://olcplc.com/public/media?1346680145

The Great Lakes Bay Region law firm of Outside Legal Counsel PLC has successfully assisted a husband and wife homeowner from the effects of a Stop Work Order issued on the building of their retirement home on Lake Huron in Iosco County, Michigan.

The husband and wife, from Saginaw, began work on the building of their dream retirement home on the sunrise side on Michigan's Lake Huron. The couple and their builder had secured all necessary permits from local officials and local authorities and work had begun on the home's construction. After the home's footings, foundation, and first-floor wall-frames had been constructed, the local zoning administrator issued a Stop Work Order without notice claiming a violation of an environmental protection ordinance.

OLC assisted the homeowners in laying out their legal options, preparing for the Planning Commission hearing, appeared on their behalf to present the legal arguments of inaccuracy of the Stop Work Order, and provided the local Planning Commission with the appropriate framework to direct the Zoning Administrator to immediately lift the Stop Work Order.

"Public hearings can be a very stressful and critically important aspect of making sure a project continues on schedule," states Philip L. Ellison, the OLC property attorney representing the homeowners. "Local boards have a tremendous amount of power to delay or halt projects on ordinance interpretation questions."

Following the Planning Commission meeting, the homeowners and their builder were able to resume work the very next day.

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Outside Legal Counsel PLC is a law firm located in the Great Lakes Bay Region providing legal representation on issues involving land, water, and property rights. Find out more by visiting www.olcplc.com.
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