Closer to home
Oak Creek Town Board approves garage as 'medical necessity'
Friday, February 23, 2007
Oak Creek — Dave and Eve Ege cleared one more hurdle in remodeling their home Thursday night when the Oak Creek Town Board approved a variance allowing the Eges to construct a handicapped-accessible garage.
Dave Ege was paralyzed in September in a construction accident. Ege has not been home since his accident and currently is in Denver recovering from a health issue.
The garage would allow Dave Ege the space and building he needs to drive an altered truck.
Despite concern from the Eges' neighbor, David Chen, that the garage would be too close to his property line, the board agreed to approve the garage plans as long at the Eges comply with all Routt County building codes and mitigate possible fire concerns.
Chen said his issues with the garage include snow sliding onto his property and the garage simply being "too close." Chen requested the garage be set back at least four feet from his property, instead of the two feet proposed.
"Two feet is very close to my property," he said. "I'd like to do four or five (feet) because it's too close.
Marcia Trout, who also neighbors the Ege property, did not have any problems with the garage.
"I believe that Dave and Eve should have, and be able to build, whatever they need to make it easier for Dave to get in and around their home," she said. "They have gone through so much as it is, and we as a town and neighbors need should do what we can."
Board member Tom Bleuer cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the decision was setting precedent and that other variances typically aren't approved if neighboring property owners oppose the variance. Via telephone, Eve Ege explained to the board the need for Dave Ege to have the garage built as planned because it will enable him to have enough room to navigate his altered truck in a relatively tight spot. Moving the garage any farther would have cut off sunlight to the home, which Dave depends on to warm his body temperature. "That doesn't sound important to anybody, but it's important to Dave," she said.
David Truly of Truly Custom Remodeling is helping the Eges construct the garage, and told the board approving the plans will allow him to construct the garage sooner.
"They looked at all the options and there just aren't that many," he said. "It's not like he's putting a boat or other toys in there. This is something he absolutely needs."
In other business, the Town Board:
- Renewed Oak Creek Liquor's liquor license.
- Agreed to allow Ken Montgomery with the American Legion Bird-Howe Post No. 189 in Yampa to sell raffle tickets for an Oak Creek centennial rifle.
- Approved its minutes from Feb. 8.
- Appointed the public works director as Oak Creek's designated emergency response authority. Current director Jim Photos will serve as the authority until he leaves his position.
Comments
JQPUBLIC 6 years, 3 months ago
This is also on another post but as it was to be discussed at this meeting and nothing is reported about it here, I'd like to know.... "Discuss an Oak Creek Police Activities League account" ....what happened to the PAL program funds from the days of the ex-mayor and her other hand picked PD? The officers disappeared with little fanfare and the PAL program was never mentioned again, more misappropriated public funds??
whyquestion 6 years, 3 months ago
Is the pilot reporter unable to report on her friends misdeeds?????? what do they have on her?????poor reporter did she travel with the wrong crowd????? like the grammnet story she failed to mention wall loss of temper
cargo 6 years, 3 months ago
When WIllert and Nardo left, there was indeed a PAL account. Not sure how much is in it, but last I knew it was still there. Wouldn't it be easier to find out (the truth that is) by calling Town Hall and asking? You know what they say about assuming......:)
BrainQuest 6 years, 3 months ago
So glad someone finally brought up the Oak Creek PAL's program. PAL funds are there--about $700+(checked this out after Willerts left, but couldn't get actual accountability on use of funds--no one could locate them).
We went on one PAL excursion with our kids while Willerts were in charge of the program; Nardo was on the bus with us. Willerts didn't ride the bus down to Denver--they showed up at the planned event with three carloads of out of town family members/friends (adults and children) (in three separate vehicles) and paid their admissions with funds from the Oak Creek PAL program. We're not the only ones who witnessed this and questioned why Willerts were using PAL funds to entertain their relatives/friends. When brought to the attention of the previous town clerk, she just shrugged her shoulders and laughed.
Later on, Nardo was fired/quit suddenly...he was involved in numerous PAL activities involving our kids...anyone care to enlighten us as to why he was fired/quit so suddenly? Former mayor Rodeman--got any input on this? Current Town Board trustees still on the Board when this happened--got any comments? We don't want to "assume" anything...And we really liked Nardo until we heard...but we don't want to "assume" anything. Who did the background/psychological checks on Willert and Nardo?
If the PAL program is reinstated, here's hoping the current Board (in particular the police commissioners) oversees who is mentoring our kids. FYI, adult mentors involved in the Routt County Partners program have to undergo stringent FBI background checks and psychological tests. Remember, these are our kids and they need to be protected in these programs...Make sure you know who is mentoring them--foremost for the safety of these children; secondly for the Town's liability.
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