White Approves Health & Safety Regulations For Private Property

The White County Board of Commissioners approved new private property health and safety regulations Monday night.

Any property owner within 500 yards of another property can make a formal complaint if the neighboring land poses an obvious hazard to health or safety. Commissioner Roger Mason said any property showing unsanitary conditions damaging the property, structure defects to a building, neglect foliage overgrowth, and other possible hazards are included in the resolution’s violations.

Discussion took place considering amending the resolution by making properties under five acres exempt. Commissioner Dillard Quick said during the Monday meeting making the smaller property owner’s voice unheard was not fair.

“You know, if you got more than five acres, that’s great for you,” Quick said. “But it’s not any good for the guy who’s got one acre that has the complaint. So just because you got more than five acres, it doesn’t seem right.”

An enforcement officer will be appointed to investigate the complaints, making the price tag $80,000 to cover procedures and office space. Commissioner Lee Broyles and Commissioner Cain Rogers cast negative votes.

Several White County citizens spoke out against the resolution. Resident Rick Gerard said if a health hazard is obvious on a piece of property, there shouldn’t be a 500-yard restriction. He said neighbors are less likely to file a complaint.

“There are some houses that don’t have more than one or two people within 500 yards,” Gerard said. “So if there’s an official complaint made, it has to be from one of those two people and they could be scared to do it. If it is a health hazard, it’s a health hazard. It doesn’t know the property line.”