Magistrate orders cleanup, vegetation trimming at North Eighteenth Street property; 30 days to comply

Special Magistrate Ron Brown found multiple code violations at 607 North Eighteenth Street, including mold and mildew visible from the street, accumulated man-made items (appliance, couch) on the property, excessive vegetation, and palm fronds overhanging the sidewalk, and ordered the owner to correct those conditions within 30 days.

Christie Lowe, City of Palatka code enforcement officer, presented photographs taken April 24, 2024 showing mold and mildew covering much of the front and side elevations as seen from North Eighteenth Street, a stove and a couch on the property, and vegetation growth exceeding 18 inches as measured by an inspector’s ruler. Lowe said palm fronds overhanging the sidewalk created an obstruction and asked that they be trimmed to provide at least 8 feet of vertical clearance.

No owner or representative appeared for Mary Ward or Calvin Starling. After finding that notice requirements had been satisfied by certified mail and site posting, Brown said there was substantial competent evidence to support violations of section 30-169 (mold and mildew), section 30-32(a)(1) (accumulation of man-made trash/debris), section 30-32(a) (excessive vegetation; reduce to 18 inches), and subsection 12 (trim palm fronds to provide an 8-foot clearance). Brown ordered the owners to remove the listed debris, have the home pressure washed to remove mold/mildew, reduce vegetation to the code limit and trim the fronds within 30 days (deadline March 20, 2025). He set a daily fine of $100 for noncompliance beginning March 21, 2025.

Lowe told the magistrate that neighbors and a nearby food pantry had no recent contact with the owners and that the property had been posted. The magistrate’s written order will require the owners to bring the property into compliance by the deadline or face the stated penalties.