Code board orders cleanup or abatement of fire-damaged house at 2390 Willow Tree Trail

The Municipal Code Enforcement Board ordered the owner of a fire‑damaged house at 2390 Willow Tree Trail to bring the property into compliance by Aug. 25 or face a $150 per‑day fine and possible city abatement.

City Code Compliance Inspector John Stevens told the board the vacant building has an open roof, unboarded openings and a green, unsecured pool that created a public‑safety and nuisance concern. Stevens said the owner had obtained fence work but no permits or permits-related activity to repair or rebuild the house.

Patrick Raftery, vice president of the Clearwater Neighborhood Coalition, told the board neighbors had complained for about 18 months and that the property “is just uninhabitable” and a blight on the neighborhood. Barbara Fidler, a Woodgate 1 & 2 HOA board member, said the site is a health hazard and urged demolition if the structure cannot be safely repaired.

Inspector Stevens recommended compliance by Aug. 25, with an enforcement fine of $150 per day for each continuing violation; the board approved an order matching that recommendation. The order directs the owner to remove debris, maintain the pool so it no longer breeds mosquitoes, obtain an engineering analysis to determine whether the structure can be safely rebuilt and, depending on that analysis, either obtain permits to repair or obtain a demolition permit.

The board also acknowledged that the property had previously been the subject of code work this year and that the city will pursue nuisance‑abatement remedies if the owner does not meet the deadline. The board voted to return the matter to the agenda if further enforcement action becomes necessary.

Members and staff said they will accept updates from the owner or contractor via the inspector but emphasized the Aug. 25 deadline in the order.