PORT CARBON — The Staller family, victims of a 2012 fire which destroyed their home and the home next door in the 200 block of Coal Street, have rebuilt their house. Now, they’re hoping to build a garage on the spot where the home next door stood.
Lamar and Katrina Staller asked the borough council for permission Tuesday at the council’s August workshop.
Council President Harold “Bucky” Herndon said the council would have to discuss the matter first with its code enforcement officer, Mel Renninger, and its solicitor, William L.J. “Bill” Burke.
“We should have an answer for you next week,” Herndon said, referring to the council’s next regular meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at borough hall, 301 First St.
In 2012, the Stallers resided in part of a duplex at 231 Coal St. Dean Vermeersch resided in the other half, address 233.
On Nov. 28, 2012, fire destroyed the duplex. The blaze was ruled accidental, caused by an electrical circuit overload at 233. Vermeersch was charged by police with running a hydroponic marijuana operation on the second floor of his home.
Earlier this year, the Stallers moved into a new home at 231 Coal St. Nationwide Insurance covered the roughly $200,000 to build it.
In Schuylkill County Court on June 18, Vermeersch admitted that he was growing marijuana in his former Port Carbon residence the day the duplex burned down.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin sentenced Vermeersch to serve 16 to 32 months in a state correctional institution, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $289 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, forfeit $1,242.20 to the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
The Stallers worked to acquire the ground at address 233.
“As part of the plea bargain, it was signed over,” Lamar Staller said Tuesday.
The Stallers are hoping to build a one-story garage, measuring 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, on the property, he said.