Local Judge Orders Bonner Homes Torn Down in City of BrightonLocal Judge Orders Bonner Homes Torn Down in City of Brighton

1/30/13 - A local judge has ordered two homes in the City of Brighton torn down that are at the forefront of a legal battle between an elderly Northville couple and the City. Leon and Marilyn Bonner own two properties with homes at 116 and 122 East North Street, which Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered demolished following a hearing Tuesday. Hatty determined that the Bonners have not complied with a portion of his October 1st, 2012 order, which stated the Bonners were to apply for all necessary permits to repair the properties within 30 days of being provided a list of concerns from the City. In failing to do so, Hatty ruled the Bonners have lost the ability to repair the homes. He then ordered the Bonners to abate the nuisance posed by demolishing all structures on the properties. The decision was said to constitute a final order, closing the case. Attorney Dennis Dubuc will be challenging Hatty’s decision with the Michigan Court of Appeals. He represents the Bonners and says they have been denied permits to fix the homes twelve times now, with the City claiming the most recent applications were inadequate or not complete. The other eleven times, Dubuc says the City refused to issue permits based on its ordinance, a portion of which has since been found unconstitutional. The City is appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court. In a statement provided to WHMI, Brad Maynes said the City attorney’s office is pleased with Hatty’s decision and believes the ruling is legally correct and appropriate under the circumstances to make the properties safe. (JM)