Dresden Condemnation Board Votes To Condemn Several Properties

The Condemnation Board met at Dresden City Hall on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, to review several properties in need of repair, demolition or condemnation.  Several landowners were in attendance to explain the status of their properties.

Some of the property owners were given 30 to 60 days before their next review by the board; others are being sent a letter of condemnation. However, due to improvements made to one of the properties, the board voted to remove it from the condemnation list. 

Properties 

Properties that were reviewed are as follows:

• 224 N. Cedar – Stephenson – Marva Brock was present to discuss this property. She stated the house has been used for storing materials to repair the house at 206 N. Cedar. She explained they are waiting on Methodist Recovery to help repair the structure at 206 N. Cedar, and they may have to use the house at 224 N. Cedar for storage of those materials. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure at 224 N. Cedar has some siding damaged or missing, some windows blown out and some shingle roof damage. Dick Tidwell made a motion to review this property in 30 days, which was seconded by Sandra and approved by unanimous vote of all members present.
• 414 Pikeview – Perkins – Donald Perkins was present to discuss this property. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure had windows and doors blown out (some are boarded up), some of the siding and soffit were blown off, and some of the shingles on the roof were damaged. Perkins stated he has had some vandalism on this property in the past. He noted he has been working to get the apartments finished on Cedar Street (formerly owned by Ty Finney). Perkins commented those apartments would be finished within 30 days, and then, he would finish work on 414 Pikeview. Perkins stated he has put a new roof on the building; the electrical has been repaired; and new windows and sheetrock have been purchased. He stated he hopes to have this house repaired by January. The board voted to review the property in 60 days.
• 317 Broad St. – Harrison – Mr. Harrison was present to discuss this property. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins informed the board that some of the metal roofing, electrical service and soffit have been blown off; some of the windows are blown out; and some of the siding is damaged.

Harrison stated the main house has a new metal roof; the porch has been replaced and he has material on hand to replace the vinyl on the porch; the windows are sealed with tarps and the electric service materials have been purchased for the structure at 317 Broad Street. 

Harrison says he is doing the construction work himself and has hired Chip Wilson to do the electrical work. He stated he has dealt with some family health issues along the way as well. Harrison noted he owns the house adjoining this property, which is his residence, but nobody lives in the structure at 317 Broad. 

Harrison explained the structure will be repaired and will retain the appearance of a house, but the rooms in the house will be used primarily for storage. He stated there is a huge brush pile on his property that has been there since the cleanup of the tornado. 

Dresden Mayor Mark Maddox suggested that Long-Term Recovery be asked to assist with getting this pile to the road for the City to pick up. Harrison agreed for anyone to enter his property to help with the debris pile. 

After hearing Harrison’s comments, the board agreed to review this property in 30 days. 

• 318 Broad St. – D’Avingnon – Nobody was present to discuss this property. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported there were several shingles blown off, decking exposed, front porch blown off, some windows blown out and some soffit and fascia damaged. The board voted to send the owner a letter of condemnation. 
• 203 Pikeview – Radha11 Inc. – Nobody was present to discuss this property. City Recorder Jennifer Branscum stated she had received a call from the property owner who was in turn supposed to send an email to her with their plans for the property. She stated the property owner indicated they had plans to demolish the structure and rebuild, but not until after the first of the year. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure has windows blown out, severely damaged roof and canopies damaged. The board voted unanimously to send the owner a letter of condemnation.
• 118 Pikeview – Nanney – Nobody was present to discuss this property. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure has a large amount of shingles blown off and the decking was exposed; some windows were blown out (some boarded up); some siding was blown off, soffits were damaged and there was possibly some foundation damage. The board voted unanimously to send the owner a letter of condemnation.
• 161 E. Main St. – Anderson – Gwin Anderson was present to discuss his property. He stated this was one of seven of his structures that were damaged. Anderson stated he has someone that will be working on it by mid-December. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure has severe roof damage, siding blown off and windows blown out. Anderson stated he plans to have truss work done, re-brick the structure, and put in new floors. Dick Tidwell made a motion to review this property, along with the Eye Clinic building, in 60 days. Sandra Klutts seconded the motion. All voted yes.
• 228 E. Maple St. – Wolfe – Nobody was present to discuss this property but an email was sent to City Recorder Branscum. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins stated the structure had a large portion of roof blown off the back of the house, some siding blown off, several windows blown out and one wall blown away. Since the date of inspection, the previous structure was removed from the property and a manufactured home placed on the property. This structure has been placed on the market for sale. After hearing the dilapidated structure had been removed and a new building placed on the property, the board voted unanimously to remove this property from the condemnation list. 
• 513 Taylor St. – Stockdale – Nobody was present to discuss this property but an email was sent to City Recorder Branscum. According to the email, the property is being sold to Matthew Stockdale’s mother and stepfather (Fancy and Timothy Mitchell). The email states that the owners are working to repair the damage caused by the tornado. The house is currently being lived in by his mother, stepfather and their children. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported this structure has several shingles blown off; decking is exposed; some of the windows are blown out; and some of the soffit, fascia and siding are damaged. After hearing the report, the board agreed to review the property in 30 days. 
• 523 Taylor St. – Jones – Mike Jones was present to discuss this property. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure had some metal roof blown off, which exposed the lathe and decking; there was gable vent damage; some soffit and fascia were damaged; and a porch post was blown out. Jones stated he purchased the property prior to the tornado. He noted he has put about $15,000 into the repair of the structure since the tornado. Jones said he has had some issues with the neighbors stealing things from the property and cutting his utility lines. He stated he is working on this property every chance he gets, but he also owns property in Martin that needs repairs. Jones stated he is pouring sand in the house so he can pour a concrete slab. He stated the debris in the yard has been cleaned up. Jones stated he intends to sell the property when he is finished. He estimated the repairs to take about one year to complete with the trouble to find workers. He stated he already has the metal to fix the roof. The board voted to review the property in 30 days.
• 616 Taylor St – Milner – Nobody was present to discuss this property. Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported the structure has severe shingle damage with decking exposed and some soffit and fascia damage. 

The board agreed to send the owner a notice of condemnation. 

• 136 S. Wilson St – Hometown Clinics – Nobody was present to discuss this property but City Recorder Branscum received an email from the Chief Operating Officer of Hometown Clinics. The email states they are continuing to work with their insurance company and hope to have a resolution by the end of the year. The board voted to send the owner a notice of condemnation. 
• Church St. – Simmons Bank – Nobody was present to discuss this property but an email was received by City Recorder Branscum that stated they may have a potential buyer for the property. The email further stated that if the potential buyer backs out, they plan to begin work to demolish the structure in November. The board agreed to send the owner a notice of condemnation. 

Newly-Added Properties – Dick Tidwell made a motion to add the following properties to the condemnation list: 232 N. Cedar, 240 D & C Subdivision; 531 Taylor Street; as well as other structures along the same side of Taylor Street, if they have been damaged. Sandra Klutts seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Announcements 

In announcements, the Dresden Condemnation Board agreed to hold the next meeting on Monday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Dresden City Hall.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned upon proper motion and second.