Jeani Stephens shared some tears following the Tuesday, June 23, City Council meeting, but this time, they were tears of joy. She was joined by a large group of supporters, many of them men and women who shared hugs and tears with the embattled Highland woman. The meeting gave Jeani at least two months of reprieve, and a possible solution to her home problem.
She had been cited by Highland Code Enforcement for living in a barn with no record of permits for the conversion into a residence.
The problem began, the city says, when code enforcement officers responded to a complaint that someone was living in a shed on the property. That turned out not to be true, but officers did note that Jeani and her two sons were living in the barn.
The city says the property was zoned for industrial and should not have a residence on it in the first place.
Jeani appealed her case to the Public Nuisance Board, which sided with the existing ordinances and code enforcement officers, noting that they had no authority to change the status of the property.
The Board’s decision was then appealed to the City Council, which makes the city’s rules.
On Tuesday night, Mayor Pro Tem Penny Lilburn recused herself and stepped out of the room, saying she had personal feelings about the case and could not be objective.
City Councilwoman Jody Scott also left the dais and testified on Jeani’s behalf.
She said the barn had been built in 1940 and had been bought by Jeani’s uncle in 1947. It had been sold to another family who, Scott says, converted the barn into a residence in the 1970s, long before Highland’s cityhood in 1987.
When the property was put up for sale again in 2003, Jeani had jumped at the chance to buy it, returning to her family roots. Jeani had grown up on Meines Street, just across from the barn property.
There also was a separate single family home on the large lot, but it was not occupied for many years. Owners had preferred the more spacious converted barn.
Scott said the HUD loan was approved after Jeanie made some improvements, but throughout the loan and inspection process and sale, its status as a residence was never questioned.
Scott also produced two letters from granddaughters of the previous owner who supported the claim that the conversion was made in the 1970s, and they provided photos to prove their claim.
Many supporters attended the meeting and applauded Scott’s presentation. Two of them testified, one alleging that the City Council wanted to enrich itself or its friends by zoning the property industrial, which brought City Councilman John Timmer out of his seat, engaging in a shouting match with the speaker.
And it was Timmer who suggested that the house on the property, which could be “grandfathered,” have its designation switched to the barn residence.
Community Development Director Larry Mainez said the City Council also could change the zoning of the property, if it desired.
Councilman Sam Racadio presented the successful motion, that the city consider options to make it possible for Stephens to continue living in the barn residence and postpone the public hearing to Aug. 25.
It was not a permanent fix, but the most hope Stephens has been given in the two years she has been threatened with the loss of her home.
Jeani worked two jobs to pay for the home, and now works at Lowe’s. However, she has a brain tumor which has taken her off the job at times, and also has a handicapped son to care for, so any good news was welcome.