Bay County magistrate orders abatements, sets compliance dates in multiple unsafe-structure cases

Special Magistrate Robert Clarkson presided over a June 16 compliance hearing in Bay County and issued findings of code violations and orders in several cases involving mobile homes and accessory structures judged unfit or unsafe.

The cases covered properties at 4113 Rainforest Road, 3521 East Orlando Road, 2820 East Twelfth Street, 6009 Jamie Road, 9219 Silver Lake Road, 36.5 East Orlando Road and other parcels. In most matters the magistrate found the properties in violation of Bay County code section 17–2 (unfit or unsafe structures) and either set deadlines for permits and repairs or authorized county contractors to abate the violations and record liens for abatement costs.

The hearing opened with case presentations by county staff and inspectors. Miss Ashman, staff member, identified the docket items to be heard. Inspector Scott Thorpe, Bay County Code Enforcement, presented photographs, inspection histories and permit records for multiple properties and testified about re-inspections conducted June 10 and June 16. After hearing testimony from property owners and their representatives, the magistrate made findings on each record and set outcomes.

At 4113 Rainforest Road, Special Magistrate Robert Clarkson found the mobile home and an accessory structure in violation and granted the respondent 60 days to comply. Clarkson ordered the respondent either to obtain demolition permits for the mobile home and the accessory structure or to submit building-permit applications and manufacturer specifications or engineering plans that show repairs will return the structure to the manufacturer-equivalent design. "You shall have a period of 60 days to bring the property into compliance," Clarkson said. The magistrate reduced the potential fine for noncompliance to $500 and warned that any abatement…