Eustis commission approves reduced code‑enforcement liens for three properties after board recommendations

The City Commission approved three resolutions that reduce outstanding code‑enforcement liens on properties in Eustis after the code‑enforcement board reviewed reduction applications and recommended lower amounts.

Resolution 25‑69: The commission approved reducing an unpaid code‑enforcement lien of $55,250 to $20,000 for property at 926 North Bay Street upon payment. The code‑enforcement board had recommended the $20,000 compromise; the commission vote recorded Commissioners Asvadi, Ashcraft and Holland and Mayor Hawkins voting “Aye” and Commissioner Lee voting “Nay,” carrying the motion.

Resolution 25‑70: The commission approved the code‑enforcement board order reducing two liens totaling $61,750 to $26,000 and releasing the liens at 67 Glover Street when paid. The code‑enforcement board noted the property accumulated violations beginning in 2020 and during the board’s hearings the owner requested reductions; the board granted the owner’s request at an earlier hearing. The commission voted to approve the board’s order.

Resolution 25‑71: The commission approved reductions for two unpaid liens totaling $50,200 to a combined $19,125 for property at 600 LC Street (a vacant lot associated with Temple of Powers Ministries) and released liens upon payment. The code‑enforcement board’s reductions reflected negotiations and the board’s exercise of discretion; the commission approved the board’s recommendation.

The code‑enforcement board chair, Alan Paskovsky, urged the commission to respect the board’s unanimous decisions and flagged a history of repeated violations for some owners and concerns that reductions could be perceived as enabling noncompliance. The property owner Harold J. Kelly addressed the commission and said he accepted responsibility for violations, described prior efforts to rehabilitate properties, and asked for leniency, saying reductions would facilitate property rehabilitation and clearing title to sell or redevelop.

Commissioners noted a tension between enforcing code and enabling redevelopment; several said they were sympathetic to property owners but reluctant to reduce penalties below the board’s recommended compromise. The commission’s approvals followed roll‑call votes recorded in the meeting minutes.

Each resolution included options staff provided to the commission — accept the board reduction, reject it and require full payment, or set a different amount and payment schedule. In all three matters the commission chose to accept the code‑enforcement board’s reduction recommendation and to release liens upon payment.