By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Alabaster crews will not demolish a house off Shelby County 17 after the homeowner made repairs on the previously dilapidated house, City Council members decided during a July 14 meeting.

The council voted unanimously during the meeting to reject the Alabaster Housing Abatement Board’s recommendation to demolish a house and a freestanding garage at 10601 Shelby County 17.

The AHAB previously determined the garage and house, which had been damaged by fire, was “unsafe to the point of creating a public nuisance,” and recommended the City Council authorize the demolition of the structures.

During a June 10 council meeting, property owner Tim Caton presented pictures of the structures and said he had repaired the garage and had boarded up the fire-damaged house.

Council members voted to delay their decision on demolishing the house and garage until July 14 to give city crews a chance to ensure the repairs had been made.

“We don’t want to get into the business of tearing down houses,” Ward 4 Councilman Rick Walters said. “We just want everyone to keep their property up right.”