MANITOWOC (NBC 26) — A Manitowoc County homeowner could face thousands of dollars in fines and possible jail time if he doesn't remove part of his driveway by next month, following a legal dispute with the county that has escalated over the past year.
Jim Theyerl, who has owned his property along Highway B since 1999, is at the center of a controversy over a 12-foot driveway that the county claims is illegal. The dispute came to a head at Tuesday night's county board meeting, where Theyerl addressed officials during public comment.
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"I've been here since 1999, bought the place in '99 with the driveway going to the extra lot," Theyerl said.
The contested section of driveway provides access to an additional lot on Theyerl's property. According to Theyerl, removing it would eliminate his access to that area entirely.
"Here is the 12 feet of driveway that the Manitowoc County is arguing about, the 12 feet, they want to take it out and plant grass on it, I would have no access to anything there," Theyerl said.
County officials say the driveway was built without a permit and violates highway code limiting how many driveways are allowed per mile of highway. A complaint shows the dispute began in December 2023, when Theyerl notified the county of plans to build a driveway.
Records show days later, officials say trucks were working on the site without approval. The highway committee denied his request to build and ordered the driveway removed within 30 days.
When nothing changed, a February 2024 letter to Theyerl again demanded removal.
The county sued in August, seeking removal, $100 a day fines until it's removed, and possible jail time.
Theyerl maintains the driveway was already in place when he purchased the property more than two decades ago.
"I just told them I would not take it out because I did not put it in," Theyerl said.
A judge ordered Theyerl to remove the section of the driveway by Oct. 4. Officials declined to comment, citing the open case.
"This would be it for me because at my age there ain't no way of getting a job," Theyerl said.
The court has stalled penalties for 30 days to allow for a possible settlement. However, if no agreement is reached, the fines could begin accumulating next month.
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