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Southaven approves property-cleaning resolutions after owner pleads for time to rebuild
Summary
The board approved resolutions to convert liens for properties cut by the city into assessments after public comment from an owner whose house burned; code enforcement and the owner agreed on conditions for removal from the list if maintenance continues.
The Southaven Board of Aldermen approved a resolution to convert liens for properties cut by the city into assessments on next year’s tax bill and adopted a resolution granting authority to clean private property under the city’s maintenance code. One property owner, Jesse Byers, addressed the board during the meeting to ask for leniency after his home burned in March and he has been trying to rebuild.
Byers told the board his house at 3232 West Hartland Drive was demolished after the fire and that he is working with DeSoto Restoration and an architect to rebuild. He said he has been trying to maintain the lot but that rapid regrowth and the scope of post-fire work have made it difficult to keep the grass trimmed. Byers said he has contracted for cleanup and asked for more time while rebuilding proceeds.
Code enforcement staff and a city official identified as Robert told the board that the property remains in violation for tall grass and other sanitation issues, but that they have maintained communications with Byers and his contractors. Robert recommended keeping the property on the enforcement list until the violations are fully corrected. He noted that if the owner or contractor maintains the lot before city crews are dispatched, the property can be removed from the cutting list; staff offered to turn the property “green” in its system as a record that the city would not schedule a city cut so long as the owner maintains it.
Alderman Hoots moved the resolutions to approve assessments and to grant authority for private property cleaning; Alderman Payne seconded. The board took roll-call votes and approved the measures.
Ending: The board approved filing liens to be converted into assessments for properties cut under the city code and adopted the resolution to authorize private-property cleaning. Staff told the owner the property could be removed from the list if it is maintained, and said herbicidal treatment is permissible to control regrowth while rebuilding proceeds.
