Area plan panel votes to refer boarded property at 35 N. 5th St. to court

The Jennings County Area Plan Commission voted to refer case 1031, a property at 35 North 5th Street owned by Michael Marshall, to court for enforcement after members described boarded windows and front-end structural damage.

A committee member moved "that we send it to court," saying court action would create legal pressure and acknowledging service-process delays because the owner is in a nursing home. The Chair and several members noted the property appeared to be deteriorating and that staff photographs and notes supported enforcement action.

Commission discussion focused on observable conditions at the property, the time enforcement action typically requires and the practical effect of court filings: the mover said sending the case to court would likely take time ("probably be 60") but would put pressure on the owner or owner’s representatives to act.

The commission’s recorded tally for the motion was 6 yes, 1 no. The commission directed staff to proceed with the court filing; the member who made the motion noted staff will need to pursue service and that the timeline for resolution may be measured in weeks to months.

The matter will proceed through the county’s enforcement process and, if required, be scheduled for the appropriate court hearing. No further timetable for compliance was specified in the meeting record.