The Soddy Daisy Commissioners dealt with two different code violations related to housing, Thursday night at the commission meeting.
A condemnation hearing took place in August 2017 for a double wide mobile home used for rental property that is parked on a residential lot at 11290 Old Dayton Pike. At that time, the owner, Janice Gann, was given 45 days to bring the structure up to city codes.
Since that time “she hardly moved the needle,” said City Attorney Sam Elliott. Two neighbors of the property spoke at the meeting. “It’s an eyesore, it’s horrible,” said a man who lives across the street. The homeowner who lives next door to the property in question said that insulation is hanging down underneath the mobile home and items have been ripped out of the house and thrown in the front yard. Concrete blocks have been lined up in front to hide the insulation, he said. It has been unoccupied since 2015.
In August it was determined that the mobile home was not yet 50 percent deteriorated. If it was, the city would be allowed to demolish the structure and put a lien on the property for re-payment. After reviewing photos taken Thursday, Vice Mayor Jim Adams said there is not much doubt that it should be torn down. Mayor Robert Cothran asked if it would even be possible to fix and upgrade it. Vice Mayor Adams said that Ms. Gann may put money in it and still come out with nothing if, after the work, it fails to meet the required standards. It is her call, said City Attorney Elliott, but it is the commissioners’ call if they decide to give her more time to do the work.
A motion passed to give Ms. Gann 30 days to complete the repairs to the satisfaction of Steve Grant, the building inspector and head of codes enforcement. If not satisfied, he will determine if it is 50 percent deteriorated and the board will make a decision about what to do. An inspection will be performed prior to the work in order to look behind the walls and inspect wiring and to see additional items that might be needed.
Another housing problem involved a motor home that is parked at a mobile home park. Motor home campers are allowed to stay in a mobile home park for short terms, said Mr. Grant. The owner must apply for a six-month permit which can be renewed twice for a maximum stay of 18 months. Herbert Wilson’s motor home was towed to the park and has been there for five years. The owner of the park notified him three months ago that he must leave. The options are for the city to change or enforce its ordinances, said Attorney Elliott. City Manager Janice Cagle told Mr. Wilson that he will not be pressed until the city’s new mobile home ordinance goes into effect in May at which time he will have to move the vehicle.
Discussion took place at the meeting about amending the city’s ordinance for beer sales to create a special events permit. The town is trying to attract more people to its Fourth of July Celebration, said City Manager Cagle. Now, the city’s beer code only allows the sale of beer in stores and restaurants, with no provision for special events. Commissioner Gene Shipley said the beer sales would take place in a restricted area with the vendor being responsible for checking IDs. This is to bring the city up to date and to bring a bigger crowd into the city, he said. Amber Carrington has already been booked as entertainment for that day.
The first draft of the amended ordinance has been written limiting the special events permit to one time and one location, but Attorney Elliott asked the commissioners to make suggestions for changes. This is just a start, said City Manager. Cagle, asking for opinions for writing the ordinance to allow for other times and places that a permit could be used. The ordinance will be discussed again at the next commission meeting on March 15.
City Manager Cagle received approval to renew a contract with the provider for the emergency notification system in Soddy Daisy, in the amount of $8,500. Information about signing up for the service is available on the city’s website.