ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Neighbors are speaking out about a property they say is bringing their property value down.

Norma Gaines Heath believes the concerns she’s expressed about neighboring property on Blue Springs Road are not being addressed.

Heath says her father built their current home in the 70’s. She thought it was her forever home until the neighboring property was sold. Instead of a new home being built, RVs are parked there.

Norma says she’s concerned the value of her property could go down and would like the residents to build a home that is compliant with the neighborhood’s Protective Covenants.

“And if they’re going to build a house that’s fine, we have no problem with that, but as a taxpayer I find it very devaluing our property,” Heath said.

Code enforcement officials confirmed zoning violations at the location. The issues were then escalated to the magistrates’ court. Following the property owner’s request for a jury trial, the case has now been advanced to the state courts.

While respecting the legal process, one resident expressed frustration with their commissioner, saying they were not consistently updated on the proceedings or the current status of the issue.

“We are on the south side, and we are trying to keep our property value up as well, and we want to be respected, and we want to be heard,” Bessie Graper.

District 2 County Commissioner Victor Edward provided the following statement on this issue:

“We take the concerns surrounding the Blue Spring property seriously. Tents have been removed and there were no signs of waste or homeless individuals at the site. The potential zoning violations in connection with property are nonetheless being addressed. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, I’m limited in what I can say, but the County will continue to monitor the property and seek any additional enforcement action necessary to ensure it is code compliant.”

Commissioner Edwards did tell WALB that he would address this issue again at the next county commission meeting.

WALB also attempted to speak with the people living on that property, but they declined to comment.

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