Plymouth BZA discusses septic for Southern Tire and violations in the 2-mile zoning

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Last week the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals discussed the new tire shop being constructed next to the Pilot Truck Stop on U.S. 30 at King Road.

Board member Mark Gidley asked the Plymouth Building Inspector, Dennis Manuwal if Southern Tire had received their septic permit.  He said the permit hasn’t fully come through, but it does have state approval.

Mr. Gidley asked if they could open without the permit and Manuwal said no, but they are going to be allowed to open with portable restroom facilities until the septic permit is issued and installed.  When asked why the city would allow them to open with portable facilities, Manuwal said they made a request to the Marshall County Health Department, and they approved it.

Manuwal said he expects the new septic system to be installed prior to Southern Tire opening for business.  He told the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals he believes they are going to have an above ground pumping system instead of a traditional septic system.    

While Southern Tire sits on a separate parcel of land, the land is deeded to Pilot Travel Centers LLC. 

Board member Gidley, who is a 2-mile representative on the city BZA also asked who is responsible for unsafe buildings in the 2-mile zone.

Manuwal said unsafe buildings in the 2-mile zone are the responsibility of the county.  He said his jurisdiction for unsafe buildings stops at the city limits.  Manuwal is a member of the county’s Unsafe Building Board and he would bring the property to the County Building Department and they would do the investigation on it. 

Board member Art Jacobs commented that it is confusing because he lives in the 2-mile zone and the Plymouth Building Inspector could stop him from constructing a pole-barn but he can’t take action on an unsafe building. 

Planning Consultant Ralph Booker said the city’s zoning ordinance doesn’t cover unsafe buildings. He clarified that the city’s zoning ordinance only covers waste and debris.

Gidley asked about someone in the 2-mile zone with piles of junk and was told the city can act through the zoning ordinance, but junk vehicles, ones with no license plates, and those that are not operable require the sheriff to tag them.  In the city, the Plymouth Police Department is notified, and they mark them for a violation.