Calhoun County declares multiple properties public nuisances, approves removals and related invoices

Calhoun County commissioners on Nov. 14 voted unanimously to proceed with multiple public nuisance abatements and to declare several additional properties as public nuisances.

At the meeting, Environmental Programs Manager Kraig Mize recommended abatement resolutions for four properties, which the commission adopted after a motion by Commissioner Shears and a second by Commissioner Howell. Owner Connie Starling told the commission that the property at 88 Church Street S. “had been cleaned months ago” and said she was unsure what additional requirements remained; Mize offered to meet with her after the meeting to address her concerns.

Mize also recommended dismissing nuisance findings on four properties; commissioners approved the dismissals by voice vote. The commission approved an invoice for $1,026.00 to cover removal costs at 2033 Old Choccolocco Road. Later in the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to declare seven additional properties as public nuisances after staff recommendation.

Resident Brandy Moore, whose property at 4644 Saks Road was among those recommended as a nuisance, told the commission she had limited resources for cleanup; Mize said he would follow up to discuss potential agency assistance. Brittney Gentry said her mother had recently died and she was in the process of clearing the property at 509 Chipola Street.

The actions taken by the commission were procedural votes to authorize abatement, dismissal, invoicing and demolition steps; no appeals or enforcement timelines were detailed in the meeting minutes. Owners were noted as having been notified of the meeting.