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Gautier council approves abatements for three blighted properties after code-enforcement reviews
Summary
The council approved abatement orders for properties at 3661 Mackrell Drive, 1824 Broadmoor and 8508 Sundance after code-enforcement reports cited debris, unsecured openings and repeated violations; staff recommended liens or administrative fees where appropriate.
The Gautier City Council on June 20 approved code-enforcement abatements for three properties the city says are between unsafe and blighted conditions: 3661 Mackrell Drive, 1824 Broadmoor and 8508 Sundance.
Scott Anderson, the planning director, presented each case. For 3661 Mackrell Drive, staff said the property’s owner is deceased, windows and doors on the main structure were unsecured and trash, furniture and other debris had accumulated. Code enforcement concluded the property posed a public-health and safety concern and recommended abatement and assessment of an administrative fee after the 10-day statutory appeal period.
The council then addressed 1824 Broadmoor. Anderson said code enforcement has worked the case since September 2024; staff documented four separate code cases and two court cases related to the mobile-home property, including ongoing accumulation of rubbish and debris and “continual scrapping.” Staff recommended abatement and noted the council may assess the abatement cost as a lien on the property to be collected on sale or via civil proceedings; the report cited a $1,500 administrative charge or 50% of the cost, whichever is greater.
For 8508 Sundance, Anderson said the city provided multiple notices to an out-of-state owner and to tenants; staff reported little response and sought council approval to abate if required. Anderson said a representative for the property had appeared in the parking lot shortly before the meeting and that code enforcement would verify any recent cleanup. The mayor and council discussed the statutory 10-day notice period; Anderson confirmed required notices had been mailed and posted.
City attorney Kendall (first name not stated at the meeting) and code-enforcement staff described the procedural steps for entering properties and performing abatement when title issues or probate complicate ownership. Several council members urged residents to contact code enforcement early when they receive notices to allow staff to work with owners and tenants and to avoid costly abatement proceedings. Motions to approve each abatement were made, seconded and the mayor announced the motions carried.
Why it matters: abatements remove health and safety hazards, but they may also lead to administrative fees or liens that affect property owners and the tax rolls. In the Broadmoor case, staff described a multi-year enforcement history and prior court actions.
