Hearing on derelict-vehicle complaints for three NE Jackson parcels continued to August 7; parties urged to seek negotiated solution

Special Magistrate Stephanie Marchman continued three related cases against the property owner(s) of 815 NE Jackson Avenue and two adjacent parcels to the August 7 hearing after city staff cited numerous derelict and unlicensed vehicles in a residential RSF-3 zoning district.

City staff told the magistrate they inspected the three adjacent parcels and found numerous inoperative or unlicensed vehicles and that certified notices and hand service had occurred; staff requested 60 days for the owner to remove derelict vehicles and proposed a $50-per-day fine to begin if compliance did not occur. The city also requested $9.64 in postage per parcel for administrative costs.

Carlos Wilson (care of the properties; often referred to in hearing as Mr. Wilson) told the magistrate he collects cars and said most vehicles run and that he would clean up vehicles adjacent to the road. Family members and supporters, including Sylvester (Sebastian) Warren III, argued the properties had been used that way for decades and claimed a ‘‘grandfathered’’ nonconforming use that predated post-1996 land-development regulations. City staff said the right-of-way and untagged vehicles are not allowed and that the nonconforming-use argument required legal review.

Magistrate Marchman said she would continue the three cases to the August 7 hearing, allow both sides to submit written positions and legal research on the grandfathering/nonconforming-use argument, and encouraged the parties and city staff to meet beforehand to pursue a negotiated outcome. If the city and owner cannot reach an agreement, the magistrate indicated enforcement would resume at the continued hearing.