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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW More than 60 cartons of cigarettes stolen in recent Medford burglaries ... Medical marijuana growers in Jackson County fly under radar ... With the pot grows come the gripes: County already fielding complaints ... More than 60 cartons of cigarettes stolen in recent Medford burglaries ... Medical marijuana growers in Jackson County fly under radar ... With the pot grows come the gripes: County already fielding complaints ... RV dwellings run afoul of law Rural property owner says she has a hardship case A rural Central Point woman has been told her 59-year-old son and caretaker must remove his trailer off her property because it violates Jackson County ordinances, though it's been there for 15 years. By DAMIAN MANN MailTribune.com By DAMIAN MANN Posted May. 11, 2010 @ 12:01 am Updated May 13, 2010 at 4:04 PM By DAMIAN MANN Posted May. 11, 2010 @ 12:01 am Updated May 13, 2010 at 4:04 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A rural Central Point woman has been told her 59-year-old son and caretaker must remove his trailer off her property because it violates Jackson County ordinances, though it's been there for 15 years. Bonnie Orton, 75, said her son began caring for her in 1995, when she suffered a stroke, and has been living in a recreational vehicle behind her house on Table Rock Terrace near Kirkland Road ever since. Jackson County officials have notified her she must stop using the trailer as a separate residence or apply for a medical hardship permit that could cost her up to $6,000 after all requirements have been met, she said. A county code enforcement officer saw other violations when he drove through the neighborhood, prompting the county to issue six letters to neighbors in March. No one in Orton's family has the money to pay for the permit and inspections that would be required to keep the fifth-wheel trailer in her backyard, she said. "I'm so poor I owe myself a quarter," she said. "I just can't afford this on my Social Security." Many of her neighbors also are struggling to find a way to respond to the county letter, she said. Orton said she doesn't want to disparage the county, but she perceives its demands as unreasonable and doesn't understand them. She estimates it would cost her $1,500 for the hardship permit, plus more for certification of the well and septic systems as well as a separate electrical service. "People can't afford to do what they want," Orton said. The hardship permit lasts two years, with the possibility of two-year renewals at $68 each. Kelly Madding, director of Jackson County Development Services, said the county received a complaint on another property on Table Rock Terrace that led to inspections of more properties in the area, including Orton's. The initial case involved a family living in a recreational vehicle on a nearby property while a house was under construction, Madding said. Once the house was built, someone continued living in the RV, which triggered a visit by the code enforcement officer, she said. "What he saw was something very similar taking place on other properties," Madding said. "That was the catalyst for our code enforcement actions out there." Madding said the county is not trying to penalize anyone, but needs to ensure that people are living in safe dwellings. Typically, a separate residence isn't allowed on the same property. Allowing extra residences could tax the septic system or the electrical system, Madding said. She said her department usually responds to possible code violations called in by neighbors or other residents. "It's complaint driven, but with the knowledge that we don't go out with blinders on either," she said. In other words, while the code enforcement officer is in the neighborhood, he might see similar problems at other residences, Madding said. Ted Zuk, a county building official, said sometimes one neighbor will point to another neighbor who also is keeping an RV as a permanent dwelling. Under the county building code, an RV is considered a second residence if it is being used all the time. Zuk said the county isn't concerned with residents using recreational vehicles for limited periods. Zuk said the county gives people about 30 days to respond and in general tries to work with people to fix the violation. In some cases, as in the Table Rock Terrace area, the county gives residents extra time to deal with hardship cases. "We try to be compassionate about things," Zuk said. "We're not out there just to kick people out of their RVs." At the discretion of the code enforcement officers, a fine of up to $600 can be levied for the first offense, he said. If necessary, Orton said her son and daughter-in-law could move into her house, but she said it would rob them of their privacy. She said she would like the county to come up with a reasonable solution rather than giving her an option that she could never fulfill. "I'd have to rob a bank to pay them what they need," Orton said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected]. By DAMIAN MANN MailTribune.com By DAMIAN MANN Posted May. 11, 2010 @ 12:01 am Updated May 13, 2010 at 4:04 PM » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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