Neighbors report progress at 1603 South Smith Street; commission grants 30 more days

The East Ridge Housing Commission agreed to revisit 1603 South Smith Street on Aug. 13 after code enforcement reported the property is making progress toward compliance, including the sale of several inoperable vehicles and removal of extension cords powering a backyard camper.

Miss Torrey, the code enforcement officer on the case, reported that she and two other officers met with the residents and that the backyard camper is no longer occupied. She said officers saw several previously listed vehicles have appeared on Facebook Marketplace and that at least three vehicles had been sold; staff observed that vehicles remaining in the front yard were being worked on to become operable and ambulatory.

Neighbors who spoke at the meeting said cleanup had improved but asked the commission to ensure the two vehicles in the front yard are repaired or removed. Rodney Love, who lives next door at 1605 South Smith Street, told commissioners he has a camera and had not seen anyone living in the camper for four days. Paul Drew, another neighbor, urged the commission to press on the two front vehicles that have been stationary for months and said the red truck and a tan/silver car had been in place since at least mid‑2023 on publicly visible street imagery.

Given ongoing communication between staff and the family and steady progress, the commission voted to move the item to the Aug. 13 meeting for reassessment and to allow residents time to remedy remaining items. Staff said they will re‑inspect and report progress at that time.