Port Orange council hears residents’ complaints about Sugar Forest hoarding, flooding; city says legal action underway

Residents of the Sugar Forest subdivision urged the Port Orange City Council on multiple occasions to step up enforcement against a neighbor they say hoards materials and created unsafe conditions, and to address longstanding stormwater problems in the neighborhood.

The complaints began during public participation, when Chuck Hellman and Kathleen Tarnow described fire risk, odors and water problems they attribute to a nearby hoarder and to inadequate stormwater infrastructure. “There is not any part of my soul that this man didn't cause that fire,” Hellman said, describing the emotional and physical damage to neighbors. Tarnow, who gave her address as 791 Sugar Cane Lane, said the neighborhood is paying the price for “inadequate stormwater management decisions 30, 40 years ago” and warned that FEMA’s 50 percent rule for elevating homes could force owners to elevate or sell at large personal cost.

The matter moved into council discussion later in the meeting. City Attorney (City Attorney) told the council that the city had filed legal actions authorized in December to pursue foreclosure of liens in two cases linked to the problem properties and that those cases are being pursued “aggressively.” Council members said staff, code enforcement and the police had performed their duties and that legal timelines restrict how quickly property remedies can be completed.

Mayor Stiltner and other council members discussed possible engineering options should properties be acquired. “As the properties are being acquired … is there a possibility that those properties maybe with engineering can be helping with the drainage in that area,” Mayor Stiltner asked, proposing that bought parcels might be used to improve stormwater flow. The city manager (City Manager) and a staff speaker said staff would work with property owners and that owners could choose to rebuild or sell; any zoning amendments would be considered if owners wished to change use on their lots.

Council members repeatedly told Sugar Forest residents that staff had filed actions and were moving through the legal process. Vice Mayor Grubbs said code enforcement and police perform due diligence but that the legal process can be slow: “the wheels turn so slowly,” he said, urging patience while the city pursues court remedies. Councilman Green said the city is treating Sugar Forest as a priority and asked residents to work with staff to provide information the city will need to move projects forward.

Residents raised specific costs and process concerns: Tarnow said elevation costs could be “perhaps 50 to a hundred thousand dollars” out of pocket, and she questioned how a homeowner could duplicate their home and land for sale price if the city purchased a flood-damaged house.

The council and staff also discussed longer-term approaches. The environmental advisory board reported an Adopt-a-Storm-Drain pilot and a fall plant giveaway to promote neighborhood maintenance. Council members encouraged residents to provide studies and documentation ahead of a planned staff presentation on a stormwater master plan.

The council did not adopt new policy at the meeting; it reiterated that legal filings have been made and that staff and the city attorney will continue litigation and outreach. Residents were invited to follow up with city staff and to attend future meetings where stormwater projects and potential zoning or property-acquisition options could be discussed.

Ending: Council members asked residents to stay engaged and to send supporting documents to the city; staff said they will continue to pursue the filed legal actions and to evaluate engineering solutions if property acquisition occurs.