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Bluff City officials pledge enforcement after residents report sewage, burning and drug activity on Hillcrest
Summary
Residents of Hillcrest Street and Old Highway 11E pressed Bluff City leaders on long-running sanitation, safety and squatting problems. Town officials said they will seek a licensed code inspector or contractor to enforce the city's property-maintenance code and use existing budget authority to begin work quickly.
Residents of Hillcrest Street and nearby Old Highway 11E told Bluff City elected officials on Monday that sewage, frequent burning of plastic, suspected drug activity and intimidating behavior by people living in campers and vacant houses have made parts of the neighborhood unlivable.
The exchanges came during an extended public-comment period that drew multiple residents and prompted the town manager and police chief to describe ongoing but limited enforcement options. Town Manager Michelle (last name not specified) said the city has adopted the 02/2018 property maintenance code and 02/2018 building codes and that she was pursuing a licensed third-party inspector or contractor to begin enforcement immediately.
The row of residents fronting the affected properties said conditions have persisted for years. "We've lived at our house 42 years," Anita Hicks said, adding that neighbors "can't go out on the deck. We can't grill. It's nasty." Wade Hicks, who identified his address in public…
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