Anniston council strengthens nuisance ordinance

The Anniston City Council amended its nuisance ordinance monday to shorten the time needed before the city can clean overgrown private properties declared public nuisances. The ordinance specifically addresses properties overgrown with weeds and grass that the city has already declared public nuisances because the owners have consistently failed to maintain them. Previously, the city had to wait up to 60 days before it could step in and use its employees to mow and weed such properties. Under the new ordinance, however, the city only has to wait 10 days before it can act. Councilman Jay Jenkins said he speeding up the cleaning process will help the city in its larger efforts to remove blight.  The city has ramped up efforts to address blight this year and plans to do even more once it passes a new budget in October. City code enforcer Tana Bryant has said the city has more than 1,500 lots that have been declared public nuisances. It also has 120 houses that should be torn down.  This year the city has torn down 20 dilapidated homes and identified 10 more for demolition in the coming months. Last year, the city did not tear down any vacant buildings. However, the city plans to allocate more money for demolition in the next budget to better address the issue.  The council Monday also declared an apartment complex on 1925 Rocky Hollow Road as a public nuisance due to multiple nearby neighborhood complaints of crime there.  City Attorney Bruce Downey said the city can now take civil action against the property's owners to address the issue.