By Sheila Vilvens

svilvens@communitypress.com

Sycamore Township is pulling the plug on a zombie nativity exhibit at 8555 Vorhees Lane, citing zoning violations.

The nativity is placed inside a structure that is about 10- to 12-feet wide and about five-feet deep, which is a violation of the zoning code, Township Administrator Greg Bickford said. "This is no different than having a garden shed in your front yard," he said. Additionally, there are window sashes and door frames on the property that need to be removed.

Jasen Dixon, creator of the exhibit, could not be reached for comment. Danny Fluker Jr. of Dan's Auto Repair, a neighbor, said he thinks that the township might be picking on Dixon a little bit.

"He's got the same fixture up that he had for Halloween," he said. The only difference now is it's a manger scene.

"I don't see anything wrong with it," he said. "I'm a Christian man, but I'm not offended by it. It's all in good fun."

Bickford said that this is purely a zoning issue. The "township is not anti-zombie or anti-nativity," he said. Complaints about the display prompted an investigation which found zoning violations. As a result, the township has advised Dixon to remove the accessory structure from the front yard and to clean the property of debris. Two notices were served to Dixon. The first regarding the debris was dated Dec. 9. The second regarding the structure was dated Dec. 18. Failure to address the violations within seven days of each notice could result in legal action.

According to the Zombie Nativity Scene Facebook page, the exhibit is a first of its kind piece of artwork. To learn more about the exhibit, you can visit its Facebook page.