Paula Tackett’s 8968 Park St. trailer home in Lakeview on Orchard Island had to be razed following the March 14 tornado. Washington Township’s existing zoning laws and financial constraints have prevented Tackett from putting another mobile home on the lot and has forced her to seek living arrangements elsewhere. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that ripped through Washington Township, residents like Paula Tackett are facing a double tragedy: not only the loss of their homes but also the bureaucratic hurdles hindering their path to recovery.
Tackett, who lived at 8968 Park Street, Lakeview, on Orchard Island, saw her mobile home destroyed by the March 14 tornado. Tackett purchased her property about 18 months ago in part due to a serious medical condition.
Her reasoning was because she has a serious medical condition and would at least have a place that was already paid for in case she was off work for an extended period of time.
Her home was demolished by the tornado. In a heartening display of community support, an Indian Lake-area business generously provided her with a newer mobile home and church groups offered additional support with landscaping and privacy fences.
The donated home, unfortunately, did not have the required Housing and Urban Development (HUD) tag and was too old to insure.
The township’s zoning appeals board denied Tackett’s request to replace her home on her own property, despite weeks of back-and-forth between volunteers and the township’s zoning inspector.
The zoning appeals board’s decision was rooted in regulations set forth in 2004, which prohibit the replacement of a mobile home with another mobile home under normal circumstances. While these laws serve to regulate development and maintain community standards, they fail to account for emergencies like natural disasters. Tackett’s plea for a variance was denied in part due to the reported potential precedent it could set for future cases.
At least one neighboring resident also wrote a letter in opposition to the variance request, which the appeals board considered. Also, the singular variance request being considered by the appeals board included multiple asks, including for set back and pitch of the roof.
Washington Township trustees, who appoint members to the five-person zoning appeals board for four-year terms, have acknowledged the difficulties faced by Tackett and others in similar situations. Despite their inability to overturn decisions made by the board, trustees have expressed their commitment to finding a resolution.
In response to the community’s concerns, trustees have emphasized their desire to streamline processes and facilitate the return of residents to their homes as quickly as possible. They recognize the complexities involved in balancing regulatory requirements with compassionate responses to extraordinary circumstances.
Moving forward, the township aims to uphold the integrity of its zoning laws while considering adjustments that may be necessary in light of recent events. Trustees have maintained a dialogue with legal counsel and are looking into potentially changing the zoning laws. Those efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring fair and equitable solutions for all affected residents.
As Washington Township navigates these challenges, residents like Paula Tackett remain hopeful for a resolution that allows them to rebuild their lives in a manner that respects both community standards and their individual needs.
Meanwhile Tackett is attempting to acquire a trailer and lot in West Mansfield with hopes the transaction may be finalized in mid-July.
The Lakeview resident would like to continue to call Orchard Island home. But time, available resources and current zoning laws are not on her side.