The Batesville City Council approved resolutions condemning two pieces of property at its meeting Monday.
Following a brief public hearing, the council voted to condemn two houses – one at 2056 Highland Dr. (pictured below) and the other at 714 Bates St. (pictured above). Both houses were severely damaged in separate fires, and no repairs have been made to either structure.
Owners of the properties were notified at least 20 days prior to the public hearing. Hettie Carlson owns the Highland Drive property and Todd Adcox owns the Bates Street house. The owners have 30 days to tear down and remove the buildings. If they do not, the code enforcement officer will have the structures removed, and the homeowners will be billed by the city.
The same deficiencies were listed for both structures: major structural components, such as doors, windows and walls are missing or damaged; the structures have been left unlocked, unattended and vacant; the structures are not under active repair; and the structures are not being used as an accessory building or outbuilding.
The resolutions state that the structures constitute a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare. The votes on both resolutions were unanimous.
The council conducted a brief executive session before announcing the appointment of Johnathan Burgess to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the reappointment of Scott Fredricks to the same commission.
Mayor Rick Elumbaugh said the Mayor’s Monthly Meeting will be from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Josie’s. The guest speaker will be Jim Dailey, the former Little Rock mayor and current director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Mayor Elumbaugh also reminded everyone of the free concert by international musicians that will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, at Lyon College’s Brown Chapel. The concert features winners of the 2017 IBLA Foundation Grand Prize International Competition.
Council member Douglas Matthews also said McCaleb Street will be closed to traffic beginning Tuesday because of sewer line replacement on Maple and McCaleb streets.
Reporting by Bob Qualls
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. and Ozark Newsline on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ, 93 KZLE, and other W.R.D. Entertainment radio stations. If you have a news tip or event to promote, email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com.
