Illegal dumping, recurring debris concern neighbors on Huntsville road

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) — Mattresses, cabinets and piles of tree debris have repeatedly appeared outside an unoccupied Huntsville home, leaving neighbors asking what it will take to stop the illegal dumping from returning.

Neighbors along Northwest Oakwood Road say the problem dates back to May. Debris has been removed from the privately owned property before, only for more to appear later.

Mervyn Warren has lived across the street for more than 50 years and built his home there about five decades ago.

“I think it’s an insult to us for this to happen,” Warren said.

Neighbors say no one has lived in the home for about a year, though the property remains privately owned.

Don Carter also lives across the street and has watched the debris accumulate near his home.

“We’re talking about something much greater than leaving a trash can. We’re talking about dumping, and you can see behind me. We have a mattress. We have trees. We have all of this that’s been dumped, and it’s been out for a while,” Carter said.

The problem extends beyond that property.

Farther down Northwest Oakwood Road, nearly 100 discarded tires were piled directly behind a sign warning against illegal dumping. City crews removed the tires Thursday.

The tires and the debris outside the home are separate situations. It is not known who is responsible for either dumping site.

The home sitting behind the pile of debris has a city sanitation notice is posted on the front door.

Huntsville rules require private property owners to keep their properties free of litter. If a nuisance is not corrected, the city can take additional enforcement action.

Huntsville Community Development confirmed inspectors went to the property and issued the owner a junk notice Sept. 8. The owner has 30 days to bring the property into compliance. The city plans to reinspect the property Oct. 7.

That process could address the debris currently outside the home, but neighbors are concerned about what happens after the pile is removed.

Carter says debris has been removed from the property before, only for more to begin appearing again within three days. He says the cycle has continued for months.

For Carter, the recurring problem has become a question of whether his neighborhood is receiving the same attention as others across Huntsville.

“We deserve a voice for what we pay for, and that’s all I’m asking for. Treat us like you treat all other neighborhoods,” Carter said.

Community Development will return Oct. 7 to determine whether the property has been brought back into compliance.

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