Council upholds housing commission cleanup order for Sullivan Avenue property, gives owner 20 days

The East Ridge City Council on July 10 reaffirmed a Housing Commission order requiring cleanup at 3714 Sullivan Avenue and gave the property owner 20 calendar days to bring the property into compliance. If the property is not remediated by the deadline the city will perform the cleanup and place the cost as a lien against the property.

The council heard testimony during a de novo appeal after the Housing Commission issued the order on June 11. Tori Holder, the city's residential inspector, said the property had been cited in April 2025 for open storage and that, after earlier compliance, the accumulation of items behind a privacy fence returned and posed property-maintenance and fire-code concerns.

"There's a lot of items that are back there ... a lot of things that are more than likely going to be combustible," Holder told the council, citing the International Property Maintenance Code provisions the city enforces via Ordinance 1100 and fire-code sections that restrict outside storage of combustible materials near property lines.

Property owners Brenda and Trey Locklear said the items are tools and materials used to repair items and to earn income and that much of the material consists of serviceable tools rather than rubbish. Trey Locklear said he relied on the workshop area for work because of physical limitations; Brenda Locklear said she was 83 and could not assist.

Holder and city counsel explained that while some cleanup had occurred around the outside of the fence, the bulk of the items remained inside the fenced area and that Housing Commission had ordered remediation after prior notices and a show-cause hearing. The city's code allows the council to order cleanup at the property owner's expense after giving a minimum notice period.

Councilmember Ezell moved to reaffirm the Housing Commission order but to modify the compliance period to 20 calendar days. Councilmember Witt seconded the motion. On roll call the vote was Cagle — yes; Ezell — yes; Witt — yes; Mayor Williams — yes. Council clarified that the 20-day clock begins the day after the order and that the city will remove material on the 21st day if the property remains noncompliant. The council advised the owner to communicate directly with Inspector Holder about items they wanted preserved and logistics for voluntary removal.

The reaffirmed order will allow the city to place cleanup costs as a lien on the property if the owner does not comply within the time specified.