Homeowner Files Lawsuit After Unexpected Property Incident in Macon-Bibb County

heavy machinery attempting to move construction debris

A Georgia homeowner is suing Macon-Bibb County after his house was demolished without notice, sparking a debate on property rights and government overreach.

At a Glance

Eric Arnold’s house in Macon-Bibb County was demolished without notice or compensation
Arnold is suing the county with help from the Institute for Justice
The county has demolished over 800 houses in three years through a fast-tracked process
The lawsuit aims to hold the county accountable for violating constitutional rights
County officials maintain they followed proper procedures

Homeowner’s Dream Turns to Nightmare

Eric Arnold, an experienced carpenter from New Jersey, moved to Georgia with hopes of renovating a fixer-upper. He purchased a property at 1151 Sunnydale Drive in Macon-Bibb County in 2022, intending to repair it for his children or as a rental property. Arnold obtained a permit to repair the roof and began cleaning up the house. However, his renovation plans came to an abrupt halt when the county demolished his property without warning.

The demolition occurred just two days after Arnold received the permit, with building materials still inside the house. Arnold was informed about the demolition by a neighbor in September 2023, who alerted him to a demolition crew on his property. Despite his efforts to communicate with county officials and halt the demolition, his pleas were ignored.

Constitutional Rights at Stake

The Institute for Justice (IJ), a national law firm that defends private property rights, has taken up Arnold’s case. They argue that Macon-Bibb County violated Arnold’s constitutional rights by failing to provide proper notice and a fair opportunity for a hearing before demolishing his home.

“Property rights are the bedrock of American society,” said IJ Attorney Christie Hebert. “To arbitrarily destroy Eric’s house without even the courtesy of letting him know is wrong ethically and wrong under the law.”

The lawsuit aims to hold Macon-Bibb County accountable for its actions and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. It highlights a broader issue of government overreach in the name of combating “blight,” with the county having demolished over 800 homes in the past three years through a fast-tracked, secretive code enforcement process.

County’s Defense and Ongoing Controversy

Chris Floore, a Macon-Bibb County official, maintains that the county followed proper procedures and provided notice. The county claims the property was deemed blighted before Arnold’s purchase and that no construction permits were pulled in the 20 months following the sale. However, Arnold disputes these claims, stating that he had been actively working on the property and had obtained a permit just days before the demolition.

“To spend all that time and money and sweat and end up with nothing but a bare piece of land, it’s devastating,” said Arnold. “What’s worse is that if I try to rebuild or buy another property, I have no guarantee this won’t happen again. It’s just not right.”

The case has sparked a heated debate about property rights, government accountability, and the balance between community improvement and individual rights. As the lawsuit progresses, it may set a precedent for how local governments approach blight reduction efforts and property owner notifications in the future.

Eric did everything he could to save his house, and County officials led him to believe that he had stopped the demolition.

But behind the scenes, they secretly sped up the demolition after Eric asked for help.https://t.co/VG0uiGXGZu

— Institute for Justice (@IJ) September 18, 2024

Implications for Property Owners

This case serves as a stark reminder for property owners across the country about the importance of staying informed about local regulations and actively engaging with city officials. It also highlights the need for local governments to implement transparent and fair processes when addressing issues of urban blight and property maintenance.

As the Institute for Justice continues to fight for property owners’ constitutional rights, this lawsuit may prompt other municipalities to review and revise their demolition practices. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for property rights and government accountability nationwide.