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Limestone County Commission authorizes lawsuit to enforce junkyard rules at 19890 Highway 99 in Athens
Summary
The commission unanimously authorized county legal action to enforce junkyard regulations at 19890 Highway 99 in Athens after staff described multi-year noncompliance, fencing issues and right-of-way safety concerns; the county attorney will handle next steps.
The Limestone County Commission on April 6 voted unanimously to authorize the county to pursue legal enforcement against an unlicensed junkyard at 19890 Highway 99 in Athens.
Commission discussion noted the site has been the subject of repeated code-enforcement efforts and intermittent compliance over a period the staff described as "two plus years." County staff member Drew told the commission that officials have repeatedly tried to obtain the owner’s cooperation: “He’ll do so much and then he’ll stop,” Drew said, describing a pattern of partial fixes followed by renewed noncompliance. Commissioners said the site has posed right-of-way visibility and safety concerns for motorists.
The motion authorized the county attorney to pursue legal remedies to enforce the county’s junkyard regulations; the meeting record indicates the commission expects the county attorney to review and proceed with enforcement steps. The motion passed by voice vote with commissioners recorded as ayes.
No detailed cost estimate or timetable for litigation was provided at the meeting. Commissioners emphasized prior efforts to secure voluntary compliance and described the authorization as a necessary next step after repeated nonresponse from the property owner.
The commission did not specify the ordinance citation in the meeting record; county staff and the county attorney will be responsible for filing and reporting back to the commission on the outcome of any enforcement action.
