WJJQ LOCAL NEWS
New Pine Ridge suing city, neighboring business over fence

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A Merrill restaurant plans to file a lawsuit against both the city and a neighboring business.

The New Pine Ridge Restaurant is asking Lincoln County Judge Jay Tlusty to address four concerns, most of which involve a fence between the restaurant and the Mobil gas station and the location of signs for the two businesses.

According to the restaurant, a six-foot tall wooden fence the gas station put up is not in compliance with city code because it is too tall and does not have enough space between the slats.

The gas station has until Saturday to bring the fence up to code. If they do not, the city could fine the owner $25 a day.

Pine Ridge also wants the city rescind a permit for a chain link fence that the gas station owner wants to put up, claiming that fence also violates city code.

Tlusty must determine whether signs for the restaurant and the gas station comply because they are facing each other. Pine Ridge wants the gas station's sign moved because it is blocking the restaurant's sign.

A hearing to consider the petition was not immediately set.

Pine Ridge is recently the subject of a lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which claims that the restaurant created and did nothing to stop a sexually hostile workplace environment. The restaurant has denied the claims.

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