A man who purchased a house in Summit Hill says he doesn't have to live in it just because he purchased it and got the occupancy permit.

Ricky Bjorkman of Lehighton responded to claims made at a meeting of Summit Hill Borough Council that the house in question will be made into a group home.He disputed an accusation made at the council meeting that he is affiliated with the ReDCo Group, which operates group homes.He also admitted that he has leased the house to ReDCo with an option to buy.The dwelling is at 116 W. White Bear Drive.At the council meeting, the zoning officer said the occupancy permit was issued in Bjorkman's name but that he isn't living there.Bjorkman said there are no requirements that he has to live in the house just because he has the permit; he could be renting it.The council was also informed that the group home appears to be started and that an individual is living in the residence.The area is not zoned for a group home, the council said.Bjorkman said he doesn't know what the area is zoned, but that he was granted the occupancy permit by Glenn Everett of Lehigh Engineers, the borough's code enforcement officer.If a group home is planned at the location, the borough would likely require a hearing before the zoning hearing board."I'm a builder. I bought the house which was under construction," Bjorkman said. "I completed the construction."The council said it will be consulting with its solicitor, Attorney Michael Greek, on the matter.