Special magistrate orders demolition for eight DeLand properties found unsafe

Special Magistrate Julie Zolte ordered the City of DeLand to proceed with demolition and to lien costs against several properties after finding they had not come into compliance with prior condemnation orders.

The hearing, convened April 24, 2025, considered eight separate condemnation cases in which city staff concluded structures remained unsafe under the City of DeLand Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Section 25(a)(6)(c)(3) (sanitary public nuisance). For each case the magistrate concluded the property had not been brought into compliance and entered an order authorizing the city to demolish the structure and lien the costs to the property.

Why it matters: Demolition orders transfer responsibility for removing immediate public-safety hazards from property owners to the city; costs become liens on the parcels. Several respondents told the magistrate they were pursuing permits or had contractors engaged, but magistrate Zolte said the prior orders and elapsed time meant the city may now act.

City staff presented each case with the same basic history: an order of condemnation was entered Feb. 27, 2025 (or earlier in one long-running case), the properties were given an April 20, 2025 compliance deadline, notices of hearing were mailed and posted, and follow-up checks in late April showed no demolition permits had been obtained and the structures remained unsafe. Amber Parker, City of DeLand code enforcement officer, repeatedly recommended the magistrate find the properties in violation and enter orders of demolition.

Several respondents or their representatives told the magistrate they were working with contractors, engineers or permit reviewers. Ismael, representing Bersana Group LLC at 345 East Church,…