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MORRIS – A home at 855 E. Pine Bluff Road in rural Morris is an eyesore after burning down in 2013, according to Grundy County Land Use Director Heidi Miller, who on Wednesday asked the Land Use Committee to seek a demolition order for the home.
The house was owned by Jason and Rhonda Lawford at the time of the fire, which was ruled an arson by Illinois State Police, according to Grundy County Sheriff Kevin Callahan.
Jason Lawford died in January 2014 just before he was supposed to go before a grand jury regarding an indictment related to the fire, Callahan said.
State police handled the case because Jason Lawford worked as a correctional officer for the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, and Rhonda Lawford is a local dispatcher. The property now is owned by Rhonda Lawford.
“We’ve gotten a lot of complaints from residents who are trying to sell or who feel the property is lowering the value of their homes,” Miller said.
She said the home couldn’t be demolished immediately following the fire because of the arson investigation, but Rhonda Lawford received a permit July 31, 2014, for demolition of the home.
“The permit is good for one year. After Friday, the permit will not be good,” Miller said.
Miller said it would cost the county $12,000 to demolish the home, and the funds would not be retrievable until the property is sold.
She also said if the county proceeds with demolition, the basement will be caved in, the septic tank crushed, and the well would be sealed.
“It’s a shame if she plans to rebuild that we have to knock it in,” board member Dick Joyce said at Wednesday’s committee meeting.
All of those factors would be an added expense if the owner chose to rebuild at the Pine Bluff address.
“It is currently a court case, and the insurance is not paying on it,” Miller said. “The owner doesn’t have the money to demolish it.”
Board member Mike Onorato said his concern is if the ongoing litigation prohibits the county to demolish the structure.
Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Dearth said the county would have to look into the litigation to make sure there isn’t a hold on the destruction as a piece of evidence in the lawsuit.
He said the county also will have to do a title search to make sure there isn’t a lien on the property or other owners. Demolition of the structure if owned by others could open the county to litigation.
A call Wednesday to Rhonda Lawford was not immediately returned.
Inoperable vehicles a concern
Attention also was brought to a Dwight Road residence where three inoperable vehicles are sitting, creating a potential hazard.
Miller said staff has addressed the removal of the vehicles with the owner of the property, who said he would have them moved, but he has yet to do so.
A 30-day notice was given in June, after the owner requested that amount of time to address the issue. It expired Monday.
The committee asked the state’s attorney’s office to look into what steps can be taken to legally remove the vehicles.
According to county code, when any inoperable motor vehicle, whether on public or private property, in view of the general public is declared to be a nuisance, it should not remain in view of the general public for more than seven days from the time at which it first became inoperable.
The code allows the county zoning officer to notify the registered owner of the vehicle and property, and if the vehicle remains after seven days it can be towed.
The owner of the vehicle will be responsible for any fees associated with towing, storing or disposing of the property.