Plans, cleanup required within 120 days
VERMILION TWP. — The Vermilion Township Board of Zoning Appeals granted Terry Pena a 120-day extension of a temporary hardship-use permit at the Vermilion Country Club property.
Pena’s fiancée, Sharon Chmura, appeared at the hearing on his behalf. The board approved the extension with three affirmative votes.
The permit allows a mobile home to remain temporarily at 12210 West Lake Road while Pena works toward building a new principal residence and clubhouse.
Pena lost his home and the country club building in a Feb. 10, 2024, fire. The residence was attached to the clubhouse, and both structures were destroyed. Everyone escaped safely, and no injuries were reported.
The BZA placed several conditions on the permit extension.
Pena must provide the township with architectural drawings for the proposed residence and clubhouse, along with a projected date for construction or installation to begin.
Trash and refuse must be removed from around the mobile home, parking lot and surrounding areas of the property.
A disabled van in the parking lot must also be removed or repaired and brought into compliance with current license plate and registration requirements.
At the end of the 120-day period, the mobile home must be removed unless the township zoning inspector determines that sufficient progress has been made toward constructing or installing the residence and clubhouse.
If the project is progressing, the zoning inspector may establish a separate timeline for removing the mobile home based on the work completed.
Board members told Chmura the extension was intended to give Pena an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful progress. They also warned that the matter could be referred to the prosecutor for further enforcement if no action is taken.