Calhoun County orders abatements for multiple nuisance properties, tables three cases

The Calhoun County Commission on March 28 approved moving forward with abatement of multiple public-nuisance properties across the county while tabling three cases after representatives requested additional time.

Environmental Programs Manager Kraig Mize presented the list of properties recommended for abatement, citing notices were sent to owners. Representatives appeared for three properties: Rhonda Wilkerson asked for more time to address the condition at 494 Mahlep Lane in Ohatchee due to illness in the family; Darren Sullivan requested additional time to finish cleanup at 524 Mahlep Lane; and neighbor Debra Young said she is attempting to purchase and clean up the long-vacant property at 931 Vaughn Street but has had difficulty contacting the owners. The commission tabled those three properties for follow-up and approved abatement as recommended for the remaining properties listed by Mize.

Mize also recommended dismissal of nuisance findings for seven properties where owners did not appear; the commission voted to dismiss those items. Later in the meeting Mize recommended declaring ten additional properties a public nuisance. Representatives for 1503 Rockview Circle said the lot had been largely cleaned except for vehicles for which they said they do not have ownership; the commission tabled that property and approved nuisance declarations for the remaining addresses.

All motions on nuisance abatements, dismissals and declarations were approved by voice vote. The actions require staff follow-up to document compliance, schedule abatements where necessary and return to the commission if owners demonstrate remediation or request further hearings.

The commission did not set specific abatement dates during the meeting; staff will notify owners of next steps and timeline.