Converted barn on Mathis Mill deemed unsafe for living by Albertville Planning Commission
By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
Albertville City Council chambers were almost filled Oct. 27 for a Planning Commission meeting — a crowd likely spurred by social media attention to an Albertville woman’s plight in relation the converted barn or shed she’s lived in for 10 years.
Many of those who attended were in support of Darlene Fox, who has been living in that converted barn in the 1000 block of Mathis Mill Road. She was ordered out of her home and power and water were disconnected from it after inspections deemed the property to be unsafe.
According to a statement from the Albertville Fire Department, the situation on Fox’s property came to light during city officials’ routine due diligence checks related to an annexation request — something the city says was not related to Fox’s property.
But during that inspection of the adjacent property, the fire chief/fire marshal noticed signs that someone was living at the property, and the city’s Code Enforcement personnel came to visit.
“After observing conditions that raised serious concerns, Code Enforcement asked the fire chief/fire marshal to respond to the property and conduct a further assessment,” Albertville Fire & Rescue’s post on Facebook reads. “His assessment revealed hazardous electrical work, other unsafe living conditions, and indications that children could be living there in said conditions.” Other code enforcement notices documented additional compliance issues and were “educational, not punitive. “
The fire chief/fire marshal found the property to be an “imminent threat to life” and used his authority to have the electrical service disconnected. Code enforcement issued a 48-hour notice for Fox to vacate the property, because a city ordinance prohibits living in a dwelling without electrical service.
Fox left her home – but not quietly. In the days after the city’s action, she posted videos about the situation, including that she’s had to move into a hotel – an $82-a-day cost she can’t afford.
Many people have risen on Facebook in defense of Fox, and some of them brought their support to City Hall.
The proposed rezoning of the property adjacent to Fox – where the routine inspection led to closer looks at her property – was on the agenda for the meeting.
JMO LLC, the owner of the adjacent property, was set to request rezoning of the property contingent on annexation at that meeting, but Planning Commission Chairman Don Spurlin said the request was withdrawn late on Oct. 26.
The announcement brought strong applause from most of those attending.
Fox and her supporters believe the possible rezoning/annexation of the property is behind the actions regarding her property – that a developer’s purchase of property on either side of hers has led to an effort to drive her off her property.
That’s what brought them to the planning commission meeting, with signs planted in front of City Hall, and cell phones recording the meeting.
After the meeting, Fox said she appreciated the withdrawal of the request to rezone. As to her current situation, she said she’s still living in a hotel, but she’s met with the fire marshal and was told what changes are needed to make her home safe. She said she has a licensed electrician coming to work on them.
And she said supporters plan to come to her property Nov. 1 and clean it up – something else city officials required. Those supporters posted on Facebook that if it rained Nov. 1 the cleanup effort would be done Nov. 8. On Facebook, the organizer said the work was planned for a Sunday because of Fox’s work schedule.
“We’re all going to clean up my yard to get it to where they’ll approve it,” Fox said. “I appreciate all the support.
“I’ve got a lot of love coming my way,” she said. “God has blessed me.”
She started a GoFundMe account; in two days’ time, it had raised $8,108 of a $9,000 goal.
After widespread online discussion of the action, Albertville Fire & Rescue posted information on its Facebook page, saying other than ensuring safety, the city has no interest in the Fox’s property, and that the annexation request is unrelated.
“While warnings were left citing the need for property clean up, it was made clear to Mrs. Fox that while the structure was uninhabitable, her belongings could remain on her property. Additionally, the property has been zoned M-1 since 2006, and the City has no interest in acquiring it,” the post stated.
“No one wants to see a family displaced, and no one welcomes the scrutiny that comes with a difficult decision like this. But when conditions present an immediate threat to life, looking the other way is not an option. The Fire Chief/Fire Marshal would much rather answer difficult questions today than face the unthinkable possibility of a preventable tragedy because action was not taken.
“Code Enforcement has communicated with Mrs. Fox from the outset and coordinated her temporary lodging accommodations from October 21-27, 2026. The Fire Chief/Fire Marshal has now also met directly with her to explain the safety concerns and to discuss what would need to be evaluated to determine whether the structure could be brought into compliance. No determination has been made about whether that is feasible.
“The separate annexation request involves privately owned adjacent land and has no connection to the life-safety actions taken at 1020 Mathis Mill Road,” the post concluded.
Supporters gather around Darlene Fox outside Albertville City Hall. DONNA THORNTON | The Leader
