The City of Laurel is working to clean up unsafe property in the community.
The Laurel City Council recently took on the task of cleaning up the city more by conducting a special City Council meeting to address unclean lots in the city.
Building Official Jimmy Farnham with the City’s Inspection Department said the city has the responsibility to take measures of protection for citizens and visitors when they find problems.
Farnham said normally during the spring and summer time, the city will discover that there are a large number of parcels of land, owned by private citizens, that requires some attention.
Once a problem is detected, Farnham said, property owners have several months to rectify any problems they have prior to the matter being referred to the Laurel City Council.
“People who are concerned about a property or lot can call the Inspection Department,” Farnham said. “That address is entered into the Action Center, then an inspector goes out and determines if there is any reason for the complaint.”
Farnham said if there is sufficient need to notify the property owner, then a letter is sent to inform the property owner that the lot needs some attention.
Many times, city officials said, property owners will clean the property prior to the matter being presented to the City Council.
Maggie Williams of Hayes Street asked the City Council during its recent special meeting to take action to clean up some “unsafe property” near her home.
Williams, who came to the meeting with an insect in a jar, told council members that some insects have come onto her property due to some unclean property near her home.
During the special meeting, the Council voted to approve the cleaning of more than 30 lots located within the city limits, including a lot near Williams’ home.
Farnham said there’s usually a large number of lots needing cleaning during the spring and summer months.
“Cleaning up 34 lots in the city will make this town look a lot better,” Farnham said. “The council’s recent action puts us back on track.”
Farnham said complaints, which have to go through a series of letters and a legal process, usually takes about 90 days before they are presented to the Laurel City Council for action.
Farnham said the items approved recently by the Council “gets us caught up.”
Officials said once the lots are cleaned, the cost for the work is applied as a lien against the taxpayer’s property.
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Photo/Eloria Newell James
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