Calhoun County Commission declares and dismisses multiple public nuisances, approves removal invoices

The Calhoun County Commission on Dec. 19 adopted a set of resolutions declaring public nuisances, dismissed several other nuisance cases and approved invoices for removal work. Environmental Programs Manager Kraig Mize presented the recommendations and the commission carried the actions by unanimous voice vote.

The commission approved abatement resolutions for six properties and later declared seven additional properties to be public nuisances. The meeting minutes list affected addresses in Anniston, Piedmont, Weaver and Alexandria. One property owner, Katherine Wells of 3812 Bynum Leatherwood Road, addressed the commission and said she is working to have an unsafe structure removed from her property.

Commissioners also approved three invoices for cost-of-removal work for specified properties: $2,026.00 for 4638 Skyline Drive (Melvin C. Reeves, Sr.), $4,526.00 for 1115 53rd Street W. (Paul L. & Margie R. Pitts c/o Gary Pitts), and $3,526.00 for 4604 Saks Road (Fix Pads Holdings LLC), totaling $10,078.00. Commissioner Patterson moved to approve the invoices and Commissioner Howell seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: nuisance abatements and removal actions affect property owners' rights and county codes enforcement; the record shows the county followed its standard notification process (owners were notified and most did not appear) and took formal action at the meeting.

Next steps: resolutions were entered into the record (resolutions in file) and staff will proceed with abatement or dismissal actions as authorized by the commission.