The majority of old vehicles has been removed from the yard at Thompson’s Performance in Grand Marais.
Brad Thompson has worked hard to get the materials for his hobby – working on old cars – off his property this fall as required by the Cook County Planning and Zoning Department, but he couldn’t quite get everything done by November 30 as the county board requested. He appealed to the board Tuesday, December 1, 2009, asking for their patience.
Thompson said he has hired an attorney to represent him since he has three criminal charges pending against him with a possible sentence of six months in jail and fines of $2,300 for each day of noncompliance with county zoning ordinances. His next court appearance is December 9.
“It’s taken me 20-plus years to get here,” Thompson said. “It’s not a pollution issue or a complaint issue.” He asked the board to let him continue clearing his property in the spring, especially with the arrival of winter weather. Only three vintage cars are now visible from Highway 61, he said.
County Attorney Tim Scannell said the issue is largely in the hands of the court at this point. Theproperty was rezoned from residential to commercial in September, but that designation did not allow Thompson to keep a large collection of unlicensed or unusable vehicles on the property.
“He has been working really diligently and you can see that when you drive by there,” said Commissioner Jan Hall. “I believe we should work with him.” Thompson’s small engine repair business, Thompson Performance, is unique, she said, and provides an important service to the community, especially to people who cannot afford to buy new engines. “He is doing a good job and I don’t believe we should punish somebody who’s doing a good job,” Hall said.
Commissioner Jim Johnson agreed. “I see no downside in extending that [date]. There’s a good faith effort being made,” he said, “… and as long as a good faith effort is being made, I don’t want to see the hammer come down.” He noted that Thompson had said originally that he expected cleaning up his entire property by November 30 would be “tough.”
Commissioner Fritz Sobanja pointed out that Thompson has continued to serve customers while cleaning up the property.
Attorney Scannell, the state’s prosecutor in the Thompson case, assured the board he heard their sentiments “loud and clear.
“I think our office is aggressive,” Scannell said, “but we’re not unfair.” He indicated that a timeframe for finishing the cleanup is in the hands of the court system now.
“You’re going to have to comply with the ordinance just like anyone else,” Scannell said to Thompson. He tried to be encouraging, however. “You’re going to get there,” he added.
Thompson’s property is located on the lower side of Highway 61 at the east end of Grand Marais. Since August, he has removed most of what he had estimated to be 25 vintage cars on his property.
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