An editorial in the Kentucky Standard on October 20, 2013, began with an accurate statement—building permits are facts of life. In its editorial, the Standard was responding to a controversy about a ramp to a residential home. Neighbors had constructed the ramp to enable a child with a disability to have independent access to the house, without the required permits.
The Kentucky Standard is an award-winning newspaper and an asset to Bardstown and Nelson County. However, for some unknown reason, the Standard’s editorial board adopted a preachy tone: “What those people failed to realize was that the commission didn’t cause the problem. They’re just doing their job which is to enforce regulations.” The editorial continued: “It’s much easier to attack a faceless agency than to acknowledge that the issue is not with the commission, but rather with the property owner, who failed to follow legal protocol.”
Last week a zoning code controversy broke out in Bardstown, KY concerning a residential ramp that was constructed by neighbors to allow a physically challenged child access to her home without assistance. It seems that such ramps require a $250 building permit and since the ramp was within 25 feet of the public sidewalk – an apparent code violation, another $250+/- fee was required to request a variance. Letters of non-compliance were sent out by the city with various forms of threats in an attempt to gain compliance and to collect the $500+ in fees. Regional and local media reported the story and soon international social media caught wind, resulting in an ugly image of greedy and a less than compassionate city government. 