Parking dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Farrand Hall and Colon Township

“This isn’t an issue about parking, it’s about prejudice,” said Casey Strong, attorney for Jacob Hagan and James Gray, during her closing argument in the case of Colon Township v. Hagan and Gray.

On Thursday morning, the St. Joseph County Courthouse hosted a civil hearing regarding a parking violation issued to Farrand Hall, a historic wedding venue co-owned by Hagan and Gray. The citation was issued after three cars were found parked in the easement of Timber Run Trail during a private wedding hosted on May 25.

The parking citation is the latest flashpoint in a months-long dispute between Farrand Hall and Colon Township officials. Hagan and Gray argue the township has unfairly targeted their business through selective enforcement and bureaucratic hurdles. Township officials maintain they are simply upholding local ordinances and ensuring public safety on residential roads.

In June, WWMT reported that Farrand Hall’s owners built a $150,000 parking lot in May to address concerns surrounding parking and access.

Judge Jeffrey Middleton presided over the hearing, which drew a large public audience. He began the session by disclosing his familiarity with the venue.

“I have been a patron of Farrand Hall, I actually have a reservation for later this month… I probably have actually parked in the spot that is in contention on Timber Run Trail,” Middleton said.

Neither attorney objected to his continued oversight of the case. Middleton also acknowledged the public interest in the matter.

“The courtroom is full of people who have an interest,” he said, later adding, “We’re not doing all this for a one-day parking violation in May.”

Roughly 20 people were in attendance, three of whom would later testify.

Lance Thornton, attorney for Colon Township, opened by stating that both Hagan and Gray had been subpoenaed.

“I asked Strong this morning whether any documents were made in response to the subpoenas. She indicated no,” Thornton said.

Strong responded, “There are no records to produce, and I would object to any and all testimony from my clients at this hearing. This is a state actor. This is a zoning violation that has consequences and implications across the board, and they will not be testifying unless compelled by Your Honor.”

The township proceeded to call its first witness, Lindsay Stauffer, a Timber Run Trail resident, who submitted photographs to the township showing a truck with a trailer and a car parked in the easement on May 25.

Under questioning, Stauffer acknowledged that while the cars were in the easement, the roadway itself remained clear.

“Could you pass through the road?” Strong asked.
“Yes,” Stauffer replied.
“Could another car also pass through?”
“Yes.”

Stauffer also referenced a deed specifying that the easement should not be obstructed.

During her testimony, Judge Middleton raised a procedural concern. “I have a concern this is a private road, and you’re representing private owners,” he said to Thornton.

Next to testify was Pamela Stauffer, Lindsay’s mother and a longtime resident of the road. She too submitted photographs and expressed concerns about easement access.

When asked by Strong, “Were there any [cars] blocking the roadway?”
Pamela Stauffer replied, “No, I could access the property.”

Middleton then questioned her tone and motivations. “You testified to [the parking lot being full], and I just detected a sense of disdain in your voice that these people have all these cars in their parking lot for a wedding. Why would that bother you?”

Pamela Stauffer cited long-standing concerns about losing access to their easement and noted that four families, including hers, had obtained private legal counsel. “The easement is very clear as far as what should be going on there — blocking, restricting, etc.”

WWMT also reported that local officials have accused Farrand Hall’s owners of operating beyond approved uses — including running a café and outdoor market — and not adequately addressing parking problems.

The township then called Forrest “Joe” Kline, a zoning official for Colon Township’s code enforcement contractor SAFEbuilt, who answered questions from both attorneys and the judge.

Despite earlier objections, the township called James Gray to the stand. Strong reiterated her opposition, but Judge Middleton allowed the testimony, stating, “This is a civil matter, not a criminal one. I believe he is entitled to call the defendant as a witness.”

Gray clarified that no attendance records were kept for the May 25 event or others, as the venue does not track that information.

Middleton noted the practical challenges of the venue’s parking setup. “They park there because they don’t have enough parking inside the facility itself.”

Gray nodded in agreement.

When asked by Thornton whether he took any steps on May 25 to prevent parking in the easement, Gray responded,
“We do it every time.” Gray also emphasized the event in question was a private family gathering with no commercial gain.

Gray said the venue’s main lot holds around 40 cars, with room for an additional 20 along the house’s driveway.

SAFEbuilt previously approved Farrand Hall’s parking plans when Gray and Hagan presented them to the township planning commission in 2022, according to Gray. 

Middleton inquired whether Farrand Hall had installed any “No Parking” signage along the easement. Gray said they had attempted to do so but were denied by SAFEbuilt. The proposed sign read “Guest Parking,” with an arrow pointing toward the main lot.

At around 11:37 a.m., witness testimony concluded and oral arguments began.

Thornton closed by framing the issue as a matter of safety. “It’s a public safety issue.”

Strong countered, “This isn’t about parking, it’s about prejudice.”

In his ruling, Judge Middleton repeatedly reminded those present that this was, at its core, a simple civil infraction.
“Frankly, it looks like a place to park,” he said. “Which is why I parked there when I went last November.”

Ultimately, Middleton found Hagan and Gray responsible for the parking violation, citing the use permit they had agreed to when opening the venue. They were each charged $100, which is less than the maximum amount and more than the minimum.

However, Middleton declined to impose the additional $2,210 the township had requested — including a $410 Safebuilt charge and $1,800 in legal fees related to the hearing.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.

This article was edited at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, August 7 to note that SAFEbuilt approved parking plans proposed by Farrand Hall in 2022, which wasn’t included in the initial version of this report.