Resident raises concerns about Leslie Road subdivision, county says developer met requirements

Regina Greer told the Geneva County Commission she had concerns about a proposed subdivision on Leslie Road and said she did not receive notice until May 22, after the preliminary meeting. She said she filed a consumer complaint with the Alabama Attorney General’s office and asked the commission whether the county planned to add a building inspector.

Engineer Justin Barfield told the commission the county’s requirements cover lot size and layout and that the developer met both county and health-department requirements. Barfield noted Geneva County currently does not have zoning or planning restrictions and advised Ms. Greer that complaints about home-building quality may be submitted to the Home Builders Association. Commissioner Jeff Hatcher said the county could consider partnering with municipalities for inspections because the county could not afford a full-time inspector and would need to adopt enforceable laws and regulations before inspections could be enforced.

Greer said certified letters were used to notify property owners but she believes the letter was dated May 1 or May 8 and was not received until May 22. The commission acknowledged there is no county rule requiring a sign to be posted on property with a proposed subdivision, though County Attorney Phil Eldridge recently suggested posting notices on the property for future proposals. Barfield added that only eight of Alabama’s 67 counties have adopted building codes, noting that local adoption is uncommon in many rural counties.

The commission did not adopt new subdivision signage or inspection requirements at the June 23 meeting. The Oak Grove Park four-lot subdivision on County Road 16 was separately approved during the meeting after the engineer confirmed county and health-department requirements were met.