Dresden Condemnation board meets after two years
story by Shannon Taylor, Senior Investigative Reporter
The Condemnation Board met on March 27, after almost two years of not meeting due to the Dec. 2021 tornado. Several properties were discussed.
The property located at 134 S. Poplar St. was sold, and the structure was demolished. This property was removed from review.
The property located at 355 W. Main St. was discussed. The property owner was present, and she stated that work was ongoing on this property. She stated that nobody lives on the property, and they are working on it when time and finances allow. The board noted that progress was being made and Willie Parker made a motion to review the property in 60 days. Dick Tidwell seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
The properties located at 147-150 W. Main St. were mentioned that these properties were due to be demolished. Keith Kemp stated it was to be demolished by the end of March. This property may have been condemned and ordered to be demolished already. No further action was taken.
The property located at 340 D & C Subdivision was recently sold in a tax sale. The board suggested contacting the new owner to see what the plans were for this property.
The property located at 1126 Hwy 118 was mentioned initially due to a health and sanitation issue. This property is being removed from review since there are no structural issues with the property.
The property located at 224 N. Cedar has some work slowly being done on it. Dick Tidwell made a motion for the building inspector to review the property (inside and out) and report the findings back to the board. Willie Parker seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
The property located at 451 Oakdale St. was removed from review due to there not being any structural issues with the property.
The property located at 435 Oakdale St. was ordered to be condemned already. The owner stated it may be in her best interest to have the structure torn down.
Several properties were discussed that have been damaged by the December 10, 2021, tornado but that no work has been done on them to date. It was mentioned that two vacant properties have campers on them that have been used as temporary housing since the tornado. It was mentioned that these campers were in violation of the zoning ordinance. A letter was sent to the property owners of 9345 Hwy 22 and 221 E. Main giving them 30 days to remove the camper from the property.
Dick Tidwell made a motion for the building inspector to review the following properties and bring a recommendation back to the Board – 414 Pikeview Street, 317 Broad Street, 318 Broad Street, 203 Pikeview Street, 118 Pikeview Street, 161 E. Main Street, 228 E. Maple Street, 513 Taylor Street, 523 Taylor Street and 616 Taylor Street. Sandra Klutts seconded the motion. Klutts amended the motion to include the former Simmons Bank building on Church Street and the medical clinic on S. Wilson Street. Willie Parker seconded the motion to amend the original motion. All voted yes to approve the amendment to the original motion. The original motion was then unanimously approved.
The next condemnation board will meet in May, but a date has not yet been set.
