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Gautier council approves abatement at 2804 Flounder Circle, gives owner 60 days to seek permit or face lien
Summary
The Gautier City Council approved an abatement order for 2804 Flounder Circle, giving the property owner 60 days to submit permit-ready plans or the city will clear the property and place a lien equal to $1,500 or 50% of abatement cost, whichever is greater.
The Gautier City Council voted to approve an abatement order for 2804 Flounder Circle, giving the registered property owner 60 days to either submit engineered permit drawings or begin cleanup and repairs, after which the city will cause cleanup and place a lien for the cost.
The action came after the city’s planning director reported the structure has sagging floors, falling ceilings with visible mold, a collapsing rear porch and piles of debris that have contributed to the lot becoming blighted. The planning director said the damage likely exceeds 50% of the structure’s value and would therefore meet the city’s definition of “substantially damaged.”
“The structure is substantially damaged which would be beyond 50% by definition,” said Scott, Planning Director, describing the inspection findings and telling the council that repairs would require engineered drawings to demonstrate structural safety.
The council discussed whether the person now working on the property could pull permits; planning staff said a permit could be issued if a registered property owner submits appropriate engineering plans. The man who spoke to the council at the podium identified himself as Eric Reiner and said he is the registered owner; he told council members he intends to pursue repairs or sell the lot.
Councilman Cameron George (Ward 1) moved the abatement with a 60-day deadline to either submit plans for reconstruction, apply for a permit to repair, or begin demolition and rebuilding consistent with zoning requirements. Councilman Richard Jackson (Ward 2) seconded the motion. Councilman Rusty Anderson (Ward 4) abstained; the motion carried.
The motion directs staff to notify the owner and, if no adequate plan or permit is submitted within 60 days, to proceed with abatement and assess the cost as a lien against the property equal to $1,500 or 50% of the cleanup cost, whichever is greater.
Planning staff will accept permit applications and engineering drawings during the 60-day window; if the owner presents acceptable documentation the city will not proceed with cleanup. The council did not reference a specific state statute or city ordinance by name during the discussion.
Next steps: the planning department will notify the registered owner in writing of the deadline and the lien procedure; enforcement will follow if the owner does not act within the time allotted.
