A local contractor says he was unfairly targeted by Baden's building code officer and cited for several alleged violations.
Mike Hribar, owner of Economy-based Pittsburgh Hardscapes, told council Monday that building code officer Joe Luff shut down his work site two weeks ago, preventing him from replacing a retaining wall at a Virginia Avenue home.
Mike Hribar, owner of Economy-based Pittsburgh Hardscapes, told council Monday that building code officer Joe Luff shut down his work site two weeks ago, preventing him from replacing a retaining wall at a Virginia Avenue home.
Hribar said he and the homeowners, Jon and Kristen Hazlett, are being unfairly targeted and he's now considering filing a lawsuit for lost wages since June 4.
"He's discriminating against me because he doesn't like me," said Hribar, whose company specializes in retaining wall construction, among other services.
In a June 12 letter to the Haslett's, Luff listed nine reasons for rejecting the permit application for the work.
Luff, who does building inspections in Baden, couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
Hribar said a permit shouldn't be required because he is only replacing an existing, collapsing wall and the structure won't reach above 4 feet. He said other retaining walls have been built in the borough without permits, including one constructed June 2-6 on State Street.
In his letter, Luff also cited that the project failed to properly address drainage issues and storm water run off.
Council President Judith Montell said she visited the site a day after it was shut down and only saw a few blocks down.
"I'm divided here. I agree with Mr. Hribar on the wall itself," Montell said.
"My other problem though is ...the water is going right into the street."
Councilwoman Kim Villella said there have been other complaints about Luff, though Hribar's complaint was the first that Councilman Mike Stuban said he'd heard.
Councilman Robert Besong called for a vote asking to remove Luff, but board members said they wanted to first speak with Luff's supervisor for an explanation.
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"He's discriminating against me because he doesn't like me," said Hribar, whose company specializes in retaining wall construction, among other services.
In a June 12 letter to the Haslett's, Luff listed nine reasons for rejecting the permit application for the work.
Luff, who does building inspections in Baden, couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
Hribar said a permit shouldn't be required because he is only replacing an existing, collapsing wall and the structure won't reach above 4 feet. He said other retaining walls have been built in the borough without permits, including one constructed June 2-6 on State Street.
In his letter, Luff also cited that the project failed to properly address drainage issues and storm water run off.
Council President Judith Montell said she visited the site a day after it was shut down and only saw a few blocks down.
"I'm divided here. I agree with Mr. Hribar on the wall itself," Montell said.
"My other problem though is ...the water is going right into the street."
Councilwoman Kim Villella said there have been other complaints about Luff, though Hribar's complaint was the first that Councilman Mike Stuban said he'd heard.
Councilman Robert Besong called for a vote asking to remove Luff, but board members said they wanted to first speak with Luff's supervisor for an explanation.
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