[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6377207,"mediaKeyId","2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c","parentId",2139430,"title","Clearwater board accepts multiple nuisance‑abatement liens, orders 5‑day cleanups","audioSeconds",864,"startMs",3734000,"endMs",4598165,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c&start=3734&end=4598","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c/thumbnail_3734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377207/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Clearwater-board-accepts-multiple-nuisanceabatement-liens-orders-5day-cleanups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377207-78417c90ad2a0955adaa000cf0f29cde/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213590&Signature=f0Fq-ARhU9hYS5onrrYi5gwjsEP2RT1HdyMCvAw8VNq8nTaWUotxcaH8YE-M9ZrvlOcgLhkBwH~6N4QGbXT5zksQMGrATmc9HlWJ0NZ76NGRV3iZBKXJHGf~1Gn712f92DetjdaSEw3ebbAjG7FUC-77VFYPuYvDKKf4XcGMCrFPgjXSGZYMzBB~KlHUPo4N5Elk7YuQMDmtmXO3qYhm49bdul~EWiZH5wb1WlKLBdX75lISNN1Sw7G7SLhlI5I5egWwMC000GbQYxToDGfyLk9h9DEXVDxrWei1rcofGdxrNgIxthPWI8t0LMhrm5REsYQF4wG2u0AZGQS2USSyDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clearwater, FL","date","2025-01-22T18:21:19Z","article","The City of Clearwater Municipal Enforcement Board accepted nuisance‑abatement findings and entered orders for several properties, requiring corrective work within five days or authorizing the city to abate and place liens for recovery of costs.

Inspector Vicky Suddath presented two cases involving properties owned by the same respondents (Case Nos. 02‑25 at 1732 Lucas Drive and 03‑25 at 1721 Lucas Drive). Suddath said both homes appeared vacant, certified notices were returned unclaimed, and recent photographs showed overgrowth, unmaintained rights of way, trash and debris, and storm damage to fences and trees. “These pictures were taken last week to show that nothing was done,” Suddath said. The board ordered both respondents to correct the violations within five days of the board’s written order; if respondents do not comply, the city may enter the properties to abate and charge the owners the reasonable costs, which will become a lien.

Inspector Daniel Tasman presented Case No. 04‑25 at 608 Nicholson Street, reporting overgrowth, dumped couches and brush piles, fallen limbs and Australian pine suckers encroaching into the roadway. Tasman asked the board to order mowing, debris removal and trimming within five days. The board issued an order requiring correction within five days and authorized city abatement and lien placement if the owner fails to act.

Inspector Kevin Maddox presented Case No. 07‑25 for the 1200 Eatonville Land Trust property, reporting grass and overgrowth exceeding one foot and a posting history dating to December 2024. Maddox said he had spoken by phone with a trustee who indicated intent to address the issue; the board entered an order requiring correction within five days.

In each case the board instructed staff that if the respondent fails to comply within the ordered timeframe, the city may take reasonable abatement actions, assess costs and file lien documentation; the board approved each order by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Clearwater - Municipal Code Enforcement Board - 1/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board entered orders finding multiple properties in violation for overgrowth, debris and right‑of‑way encroachment and ordered abatement within five days or authorized the city to abate and place liens.","taxTitle","Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",4656,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377212,"Board reduces lien at 131 Devon Drive to administrative cost after owner says contractors stole funds",200,2240250,2440670,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c&start=2240&end=2440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c/thumbnail_2240250.jpg","/articles/6377212/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Board-reduces-lien-at-131-Devon-Drive-to-administrative-cost-after-owner-says-contractors-stole-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377212-0115d7cbc87e27abced1398800606b66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213590&Signature=b7X9DmlOSf-PYbvRiDtvx1i1biW10zWpPgEtUFiZV7VEEXYx9XFNKNxyEfgsffa2hAVgm9pI~5D69GM2wSwaRyRn~lYVXwx1leIjF2iLcKpNkiuhnagfBvSzYF9BKtHTLJRm~ELZRPYN7HXPViHBfpnZFUNPSNC559xfRV5eTF2x77Q~akoWgKzZWlFmAdAh-Gu43~W7GeHqGoVxAbMA2qgn3-vMt81-QwBpSA7ys6RtVXjVMHcXaYSEFHLAgnRbhAESgFURSJITrT8NJ-pY6b3JJkAVqtm~fIzGJxwoyRomaXxRepofMzB2MN~KHoE83hzw-3G30abEXVS0JpgqSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Clearwater Municipal Enforcement Board voted to reduce a demolition/abatement lien on 131 Devon Drive to the city’s administrative cost of $1,248.20, payable within 30 days, after the property owner described contractor theft and storm damage that delayed compliance.

Frank Gower, who said he owns 131 Devon Drive on Clearwater Beach, told the board he had attempted to bring the property into compliance, that two contractors stole money from him, and that hurricane flooding further forced him to demolish the dwelling at a cost of about $25,000. “I was bedridden for 6 months,” Gower said, describing health and financial setbacks and asking the board to waive fees. He told the board the property is demolished and that he is trying to sell, but the lien and associated costs interfere with that plan.

Board members confirmed the city’s administrative costs on the matter total $1,248.20. One member recommended reducing the lien to administrative fees on grounds of documented hardship and completed demolition work. The owner told the board he could pay that administrative amount within 30 days.

A motion to reduce the lien to the administrative cost amount of $1,248.20, payable within 30 days, passed. The board’s order states that if the reduced amount is not paid within 30 days the lien will revert to the original amount.

Board action: Motion carried to reduce lien to administrative cost of $1,248.20, payable within 30 days; lien reverts to original balance if not paid.","The municipal enforcement board reduced a lien for 131 Devon Drive to the city’s administrative cost of $1,248.20 after the owner described contractor theft and storm damage; the reduced amount is payable within 30 days.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377217,"Clearwater board orders owner of 403 Princess St. to repair exterior, sets Feb. 22 compliance deadline",3248,304841,3553295,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c&start=304&end=3553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139430-ff02e5a3b21f5d434b2eeef67af6880c/thumbnail_304841.jpg","/articles/6377217/Clearwater/Pinellas-County/Florida/Clearwater-board-orders-owner-of-403-Princess-St-to-repair-exterior-sets-Feb-22-compliance-deadline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377217-b0e2e840cc929f0a85a1371c4074036d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213590&Signature=GOZijguhfvSZWEjMM3k5Tqeo1wb4MLYUQgxVwJp1sZj7nvRuLjd6sTFWpS2exzvPNJBik2Qi8MfxF2sB4SElX0osl6JRRA9~pmdg25kahrjS18TS3mKqoGK5UZtza33DqZ0poivS3Y7Ewc9mPAH1-kTngfN8wlEJUCzMvtdEp11xrXTcs-AZ1-XpF0nnAgPvTDJrCIfOo~3PSX13m2y9SN3OzCvWwWU-OoaksYirq6cD9qRZR1MZLAVTyB90pLNy7QvmXPbydvrQTGDJ952eb2XJoPUlefr6-K~brrfnzD05NvfWz~W5Q7s9cLNFYMIn0htoTcvnjOvcymiIsKw0MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Clearwater Municipal Enforcement Board ordered the owner of 403 Princess Street to correct exterior‑surface and roof‑maintenance violations by Feb. 22, 2025, and warned the owner that the board may impose fines of $150 per day per violation if the property remains out of compliance.

Inspector Daniel Kazma, a code enforcement inspector with the City of Clearwater, presented the case (Case No. 01‑25) and said the violations included code section 3‑1502(b) for exterior surfaces and sections 3‑1502(d)(1) and (d)(3) for roof maintenance. Kazma said he first documented damage in August 2024, showed board photographs of collapsed carport structures, tarps covering a secondary dwelling unit, and vegetation encroaching on the building, and reported that certified notices of violation had been sent. “This is case number 1‑25 for 403 Princess Street,” Kazma said, and he recommended compliance by Feb. 22, 2025, or daily fines.

Dr. Julius Okuboye, who identified himself as the property owner, denied neglect and said he had applied for permits and hired a builder and an engineer who signed plans the morning of the hearing. “I deny any supposition that I neglected the property or I refused to repair it,” Okuboye said. He asked the board for more time, saying storms and medical treatment had delayed work and that he would need several months to finish. “I would ask for more, like 3 months or even 4,” he said, adding that he had already started work and removed vehicles from the carport area.

A neighbor, Rhett Pennington, who identified himself as a real estate broker and investor and the owner of 407 Princess, told the board he had repeatedly complained about the same property and described interior and exterior hazards he called “slumlord conditions.” Pennington said the big tree near the rear garage posed a hazard to his fence and roof and urged the board to require faster action.

Board members and staff discussed realistic timeframes for permits and construction. One member noted that engineered drawings commonly require review cycles and city questions before a permit can be approved; another recommended the board require evidence of concrete progress (for example, permit application and removal of the most hazardous features) at the next meeting. Rebecca Mulder, the city’s code manager, also explained that hazardous tree complaints are handled by a different division (land resource/arboreal inspectors) and said citizens may submit a separate hazardous‑tree complaint for arborist inspection.

After discussion, the board entered an order binding the respondent to correct the violations by Feb. 22, 2025. The order states that if the respondent does not comply by that date the board may order a fine of $150 per day per violation for each day the violations continue to exist; unpaid fines, costs and fees may become a lien and the city is authorized to foreclose, collect or settle the lien if unpaid three months after filing.

The board and staff clarified that the board will accept administrative updates from staff on progress (for example, whether a permit application was submitted) and will return the matter to the board only if staff files an affidavit of noncompliance.

Board action: The board voted to enter the order requiring correction of the violations by Feb. 22, 2025, with the $150/day fine authority and lien/foreclosure language noted in the board motion.","The municipal enforcement board found the owner of 403 Princess Street in violation of city exterior‑maintenance and roof‑maintenance codes and ordered repairs by Feb. 22, 2025, with daily fines authorized if the work is not completed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clearwater board accepts multiple nuisance‑abatement liens, orders 5‑day cleanups

Board reduces lien at 131 Devon Drive to administrative cost after owner says contractors stole funds

Clearwater board orders owner of 403 Princess St. to repair exterior, sets Feb. 22 compliance deadline