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Council authorizes demolition of unsafe house at 301 Salem Drive NE after owner asks for more time
Summary
Council approved a resolution to authorize demolition of a property at 301 Salem Drive NE after staff and a contractor determined the structure was not economically feasible to repair; the owner asked for additional time to assemble volunteers for voluntary demolition.
The Huntsville City Council on April 10 authorized the demolition and abatement of an unsafe building located at 301 Salem Drive Northeast after city staff and an independent contractor concluded the house was not economically feasible to repair.
Scott Erwin of the Community Development Department told council staff and a contractor inspected the property on Feb. 5 and determined the structure sustained a 90 percent loss, with exterior framing, roofing, windows, doors and interior systems all described as total losses. No action had been taken by the owners or interested parties before the hearing, Erwin said.
Robbie Bailey, who identified herself as the property owner, spoke during the public hearing and asked the council for more time to assemble volunteers and work with community members willing to assist with demolition. Bailey said she lost pets in the incident that led to the damage and that her mother has Alzheimer’s disease; she said she ‘‘can barely stand to look at this’’ and was seeking additional time to coordinate help.
Doctor Robinson made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing abatement after the public hearing. Councilmembers voted in favor; the motion carried. City staff told Bailey the city would not start demolition before 30 days and that staff would work with the owner as they mobilize utility removals and public-works resources. The staff estimate for mobilization under normal circumstances is two to three weeks, the city said.
Erwin told council the building had been declared unsafe on Aug. 9, 2023. The city said it will set a finite deadline for voluntary owner action upon the council’s approval; staff will coordinate the timeline with Bailey and the demolition team she said she is trying to assemble.
The council’s action authorizes abatement and creates an assessment or chargeable cost if the work is performed by the city and later placed as a lien or assessment as allowed under the applicable city ordinance. Council did not specify an amount for demolition costs at the meeting.
The Record: This public hearing and resolution were recorded during the April 10 meeting and are part of the council’s official minutes and video record.
