RAYTOWN, Mo. — Already out greater than $20,000 for a bit of property that a Raytown lady says is nearly ineffective, she referred to as FOX4 Downside Solvers eager to warn others to not make the identical mistake.
Amy Thiede took us on a fast tour of the small lot she purchased 5 years in the past, hoping to construct a one-room home that (as soon as retired) she might use as an workplace for her remedy follow.
“Who knew it could be this sophisticated?” requested Thiede, shaking her head.
Thiede actually had no concept when she handed over $10,000 for the empty lot.
She thought she’d performed her homework earlier than shopping for the property as a result of she had checked with Raytown Metropolis Corridor, which is throughout the road. She stated she was instructed that constructing a small workplace area would not be an issue.
Quick ahead 5 years and Thiede stated it has been nothing however issues.
The lot, which has sat empty for 20 years, is zoned as a part of the town’s Central Enterprise District. Constructing in that district comes with a mountain of laws.
However Thiede at first thought she might make it work.
“We needed to do a water research,” she stated. “Then we needed to have an agriculturist come out and take a look at the bushes and establish each tree on the lot.”
There have been additionally necessities for lighting and sidewalks and parking. Plus a drainage basin wanted to be constructed.
Thiede stated she has all the time appreciated that cities want zoning to maintain them trying good. However she stated her property is on 59th Road — blocks away from the place most of Raytown’s companies are situated. Plus, though the lot is zoned business, it is surrounded by homes.
Raytown had so many laws for constructing on the lot that, by the point Thiede had complied with half of them, she realized she did not manage to pay for left to place up a constructing.
So she tried promoting the property.
The primary purchaser needed to construct a storage on the property to accommodate his trailer. Town stated no.
“Anyone else needed high put a tire store there,” Thiede stated. “Effectively, (the town stated) you possibly can promote tires all day lengthy. You simply cannot mount them. What is the level of that?”
Then, she stated, a home builder was .
He needed to construct a $200,000 house there. However after he met with the town a number of occasions, he instructed FOX4 Downside Solvers he gave up, saying the necessities had been too burdensome.
At that time, Theide stated, she tried to donate the property to charity. However no charity she contacted was .
“I am not right here to make a buck. I simply wish to do away with it,” stated Thiede, who nonetheless has it listed with an actual property firm however is not getting calls.
That is why Thiede referred to as FOX4 Downside Solvers.
We talked to Metropolis Administrator Damon Hodges, who stated his employees tried on a number of events to work with Thiede and the builder — and even supplied to waive a few of laws.
Nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. Hodges stated zoning districts are essential in a metropolis, and he really helpful anybody shopping for property ask the town for a listing of the necessities earlier than closing the sale.
So how do you remedy Thiede’s drawback?
Downside Solvers talked to 2 actual property attorneys who stated there’s a approach out for individuals caught with a bit of property they cannot promote: Cease paying property taxes.
In Jackson County, property will likely be offered on the courthouse steps if it has greater than three years of unpaid taxes. These again taxes will likely be hooked up to the property — to not the previous proprietor.
So you possibly can simply stroll away. However watch out, you possibly can nonetheless be personally fined for any code violations, like overgrown grass or a dilapidated constructing.
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