County adopts Nuisance Abatement Ordinance after hearing from citizens

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners has adopted the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance during its regular scheduled meeting Tuesday.

During the public hearing, Stephens County Attorney Brian Ranck reminded those attending that the ordinance is for the abatement of unsafe properties.

“This ordinance is an option for the county, when you have an unsafe or unfit property that’s not suitable for human habitation the county can come in, if the owner can’t clean it up themselves, the county can come in and clean it for them. Then there’s a lien process that can be exercised in connection with this,” Ranck said. “So, keep in mind that this is for unfit and unsafe properties that have already gone through the process and the owner isn’t able to clean the property up.”

However, Stephens County resident Bryan Dooley came before the commission, loaded with questions about the ordinance.

He says that the language isn’t clear regarding how the county plans to use the ordinance; thus, he recommended the county table the adoption of the ordinance.

“I want to see if y’all can make a motion to table this thing until we do get all the specifics,” Dooley said. “The public wants to know. I’ve had people call me and say ‘ Brian, thank you, thank you, thank you; but, we can’t be there. Because if we’re there, they’ll retaliate against us.”

Commissioner Michelle Ivester said “That’s ridiculous. I haven’t heard anyone say they are against it.”

“If I could divulge those names to you, I’d love to, but there’s some people that you just woudn’t understand,” Dooley said.

County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said that her office has received a number of calls from citizens who are in favor of the ordinance.

Chairman Dean Scarborough stressed that the ordinance would allow the county to help property owners who are unable to remedy a nuisance violation; which Dooley says is not true.

“We’re talking about abandoned properties,” Scarborough said.

Which, Dooley said, “That’s not what it says.”

“When we have somebody that’s living in a house in the condition that you described, our County Marshal actually rallies forces to come out and help clean up that person’s house. We’ve done that before, and we’ll do that continually to help that person get help. It’s not for folks that are in their houses, unless they are living in these structures unlawfully, or pose a danger to their neighbors or themselves,” Scarborough said.

Despite the board’s attempts at addressing his concerns, Dooley continued to bring the focus back to the language in the ordinance.

This lead Ranck to explain that because state law prescribes how the ordinance must be structured, the verbiage can become convoluted.

After a 24-minute discussion, Dooley was asked to sit down, to allow for other citizens to speak.

Stephens County resident John Smith was the next to come before the commission. He asked if the county would use the measures listed in the ordinance to recoup their cost.

“The process in here does layout for y’all to recoup your costs. A method for y’all to do that; and if that method is followed, if the land owner doesn’t have the means to do it themselves. Y’all will take the necessary steps to bring these properties to a standard, then you will have a cost. I would expect that y’all will follow the steps that are in here to recover your expenses,” Smith said.

Scarborough told Smith that his interpretation of the ordinance is not the same as his own. Saying that the county has no intention of selling the properties.

Commissioner Michelle Ivester made a motion to adopt the ordinance. The motion passed 4-0 with Commissioner Debbie Whitlock being absent.