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Magistrate gives homeowner 90 days to clear debris, orders $50/day fine thereafter
Summary
A Lake City homeowner received 90 days to clear overgrowth, debris and boxed materials from her one-acre property after the magistrate found code violations; a $50-per-day fine will begin on day 91.
Special Magistrate Stephanie Marchman found violations for vegetation and debris at 954 Northeast Family Lane and ordered the property be cleaned within 90 days, with a $50-per-day fine to begin after that deadline.
Code officer Don White told the magistrate that inspectors documented large amounts of covered items, debris and overgrowth on Dec. 13 and that neighboring callers reported possible rodent issues. The city sent a notice of violation and a notice of hearing; photos taken December 13 are included in the case file.
Homeowner Diane Sherwin told the magistrate she is 76, recently experienced serious health issues and has been unable to coordinate cleanup. She asked for 90 days to finish the work, saying she has contracted with people who did not complete work in the past and that she has been a victim of property theft and break-ins. Sherwin said she has hired contractors and will arrange for debris removal, and a community volunteer offered to help and exchanged contact information with her during the hearing.
Marchman said, given Sherwin’s health condition and her commitment to clean up, she would find code violations for overgrowth and for the boxed materials (Sec. 302.4 and Sec. 302.1 in the notice) and would grant 90 days for compliance. The magistrate ordered that administrative costs of $19.28 be awarded to the city for notice mailings and that a $50-per-day fine begin to accrue on day 91 if the property is not cleaned.
