Cullman City Attorney Roy Williams speaks to the Planning Commission about the proposed ordinance to respond to deteriorated properties. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – On Monday evening, the City of Cullman Planning Commission voted to recommend to the City Council the adoption of an ordinance (2018-27) that would consolidate policies found in multiple Alabama laws into a single coherent city ordinance to deal with deteriorated properties.
The ordinance covers City action in numerous instances, including (among others) buildings:
- with load-bearing walls or structures overloaded, buckled, or leaning
- with significant deterioration even in non-structural areas
- damaged by disaster, vandalism, or abandonment
- infested with vermin
- with improper ventilation or sanitation
- lacking sufficient emergency exits
- containing electrical or other equipment operating in an unsafe condition
The ordinance sets forth the actions that can be taken when such conditions are found, including repair, relocation or demolition of buildings at the City’s expense with a tax lien being placed on the land to reimburse City costs.
The 21-page ordinance also sets forth a detailed procedure governing how municipal officials are to deal with such properties and their owners. City Building and Planning Director Rick Fulmer said that the extensive regulations create a series of checks and balances to protect both city officials and property owners, and to prevent abuse of the ordinance’s policies by anyone.
Other commission business
Subdivisions
The commission approved two subdivisions:
- Short-form subdivision – Denson Avenue Southwest & Second Street Southwest
- Short-form subdivision – Logan Street Southwest – Village Subdivision
Due to the absence of persons necessary for discussion, a subdivision request for Heritage Village, Preliminary Phase III was tabled until the next commission meeting.
Site plans
The commission approved two site plans:
- Fourth Street Southwest (US Highway 278 West) – GLS Supply to build a new office and warehouse facility – approved
- Beech Avenue Southeast – CARTS wash facility to add a new 1,662-square-foot building
Miscellaneous
The commission approved the following requests:
- Conditional use request -1630 Second Ave. SW – Theraplay Pediatrics to provide speech, physical, and occupational therapy services, along with extensive pediatric therapy services including sensory facilities.
- Annexation request – 118 County Road 463 (off US Highway 278 West) – 38 acres to be annexed as agricultural land. The commission sent a favorable recommendation to the City Council.
- Annexation request – off East Hanceville Road Southeast (County Road 702) as residential. The commission sent a favorable recommendation to the city council.
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