City orders structure to be fixed or demolished

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen declared a house to be a dangerous structure last Tuesday and gave the owners 30 days to fix it or tear it down.

The action came following a public hearing prior to the regular board meeting. City Fire Marshall Kelly Hill said he had inspected the house at 107 E. Front Street and found it and the brush surrounding it to be a fire hazard which could threaten surrounding property.

The owners of the house, Benny and Janet Harris, said they were trying clean up their lots but that they needed time and help to do so. Mr. Harris claimed he had tried to get people to help him in the past but claimed they had been run off.

In fact, according to comments in previous board meetings, the city has cleaned up the property twice, and a volunteer church group has cleaned it up once.

The couple also said other individuals were dumping limbs and trash on their property to avoid paying the fees at the city’s recycling center. Alderman Tommy Hill asked if the couple had given anyone permission to dump there. They replied they had not, and Hill said he knew of at least three people who had told him they had permission to dump on the Harris property.

The board unanimously approved a motion declaring the house to be a dangerous structure. The board also declared the weeds and debris on the property to be a public nuisance. The owners have 30 days to take care of both problems.

Alderman Hill passed out photos of several properties in town with junk vehicles and of lots grown up in weeds.

“People in the city have been complaining, and we need to do something,” he said.

Alderman Janice Knorpp agreed, saying the city is in “a mess” and citing the results of a citizens’ survey which showed “Owner maintenance of lots” and “Removal of junk vehicles” as the number two and three top concerns of local residents. (Street paving was number one.)

More strident enforcement of city ordinances and the possibility of holding twice-yearly city clean up days were discussed. The board plans to re-visit those topics in upcoming meetings.

In other city business, Engineer Gene Barber discussed a proposal to repair and seal coat 39 blocks of streets and to completely reconstruct eight blocks. The proposal would cost between $250,000 and $275,000, he said.

Loy Davis addressed the board and requested permission to place two trailer houses at Eighth and Leroy in addition to the one that is already there. The board denied the request saying that area of town is not zoned for trailer houses and that the existing trailer needs to be moved.

Alderman Bob Watson addressed the board concerning several projects the Economic Development Corporation would like to pursue.

The board approved an amendment to the city budget.

The office of city administrator was discussed. Board consultant Colby Waters will present examples of administrative packages at the next meeting.