Navy Petty Officer John Rawlins' gulf war homecoming turned out to be an eviction notice.
Rawlins, his wife, Virginia, and five boys have been evicted from their Washington City rental because of alleged city zoning ordinance violations.The home, owned by Allen Arvig, is in an area rezoned several years ago from residential to commercial. The city allowed existing residential uses to continue provided there is no break in occupancy exceeding one year and that the property is not used commercially.
Shortly after the zone change, Arvig rented the house to southern Utah's KONY Radio. When the station moved to a new location, Arvig rented the house as a residence again.
Though city officials have known about the violation for some time, the Rawlins family was allowed to live in the home for two years. Enforcement of the zoning law came only after a neighbor complained about dogs on the property, said City Attorney Steve Snow.
City Manager Ralph McClure recently told the City Council that the law allows three dogs, but the Rawlins family has six.
Virginia Rawlins said no citations have been issued over the dogs, and she was unaware of any neighbor complaints.
"They didn't say anything to me," she said. "They just went straight to the city."
Prior to Rawlins' return from the gulf, Arvig approached the city Planning Commission for a rezoning.
"These people have nowhere else to go, and the property isn't good for commercial use. It's a four-bedroom home," he said.
But the Planning Commission recommended the zone be left as is and that the Rawlinses be evicted.
Arvig then unsuccessfully petitioned the City Council to change the ordinance to allow other uses of property not developed for commercial use.
The Rawlins family was advised of the eviction on May 23 - the same day the sailor was to arrive home. They have until July 12.
"I can't blame the city," Rawlins said. "They have to do what's best for the majority. They can't be fair to everyone all the time."
The Rawlinses have been house-searching, but nothing had come up as of Thursday.
"Sometimes you just have to learn from what's happened and go on," Rawlins said. "They were doing what they felt was right. If it turns out that they're doing wrong, they'll have to pay on Judgment Day."