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 costs would become a lien if the respondent failed to comply. Inspector Thorpe testified that no permit had been submitted to demolish or substantially repair the mobile home as of the most recent inspections.

At 3521 East Orlando Road, the respondent, Linda Richardson, told the magistrate she preferred that the county demolish the structure. Inspector Thorpe reported repeated inspections showing the property remained in violation. The magistrate authorized county contractors to enter the property, abate the violations and record any associated lien; Richardson confirmed she wanted the county to remove the structure.

At 2820 East Twelfth Street, family member and real-estate broker Adam Drysdale appeared on behalf of property owner George Gay and requested an extension to await a possible state settlement to fund repairs. Clarkson declined to grant a multi-month extension, citing safety concerns and an inspector's estimate that the submitted contractor bid was far too low. The magistrate found the respondent had been given adequate time to comply, authorized county abatement, and struck (waived) the $500 civil fine for that matter. Drysdale repeatedly said he intended to market the property to a buyer or "flipper" who could complete repairs, but the magistrate emphasized that the order runs with the property and that abatement costs would become a lien if carried out by the county.

At 6009 Jamie Road, Marsha Finch Johnson told the magistrate she had attempted cleanup and that family circumstances and a pending lawsuit complicated remediation. Inspector Thorpe described expired demolition permits and repeated inspections showing remaining violations. Clarkson found the property remained out of compliance, authorized county abatement if necessary and directed the costs to be recorded as a lien under the county's assessment procedures.

At 9219 Silver Lake Road, the county's contractor completed removal of a shed referenced in the case file and the magistrate found the property in compliance and waived the fine. The owner, who gave a Panama City address, told the court he had attempted to clear the property after Hurricane Michael.

At 36.5 East Orlando Road, landowner Sonia Jones testified that she owns the lot but not the trailer on it and said she could not obtain permits for removal because she does not own the mobile home. The magistrate found the property not in compliance but again waived the civil fine and authorized county contractors to enter and abate the violation if needed.

In other matters the magistrate authorized abatement and liens where respondents had not obtained required permits or finaled expired permits. Several respondents said they intended to sell or to rely on impending insurance or state settlements to fund repairs; the magistrate repeatedly emphasized the difference between ownership of the land and ownership of the mobile home and warned that orders run with the property.

Votes at a glance - 4113 Rainforest Road: Magistrate found code violations; ordered either demolition permit or full repair per manufacturer/engineer specifications within 60 days; noncompliance fine reduced to $500; abatement costs to become a lien if not paid. (Outcome: approved) - 3521 East Orlando Road: Respondent requested county demolition; magistrate authorized county contractors to abate and record lien. (Outcome: approved) - 2820 East Twelfth Street: Magistrate found continued noncompliance, authorized county abatement and lien; $500 fine waived. (Outcome: approved; fine waived) - 6009 Jamie Road: Magistrate found noncompliance, authorized abatement and lien. (Outcome: approved) - 9219 Silver Lake Road: County abatement completed; magistrate found property in compliance and waived fine. (Outcome: approved; compliance found) - 36.5 East Orlando Road: Magistrate found property not in compliance, waived fine because landowner does not own the trailer; county authorized to abate. (Outcome: approved; fine waived)

What this means The magistrate's orders require property owners to pursue either demolition permits or detailed repair plans that include manufacturer specifications or engineering drawings for manufactured/mobile homes. Where owners fail to act, county contractors are authorized to abate hazards and recover costs as liens against real or personal property under the county's assessment procedures and the Uniform Assessment Collection Act.

Several owners and their representatives stressed financial constraints, pending lawsuits or settlements and the potential for private buyers to rehabilitate properties. The magistrate repeatedly cautioned that public-safety concerns and structural risks limit the flexibility to grant long extensions and that permitting and engineering steps are required before repair permits can be issued. The county's Builder Services Division was cited as the agency responsible for permit inspections and final sign-offs.

The magistrate set a compliance hearing for the Rainforest Road property 60 days out and retained jurisdiction on other matters where permits remain pending or abatement is anticipated.

Reported speakers and roles in the hearing were the presiding Special Magistrate Robert Clarkson; Miss Ashman, staff member; Inspector Scott Thorpe, Bay County Code Enforcement; property owners and respondents Vicky Perkins, Linda Richardson, George Gay, Marsha Finch Johnson and Sonia Jones; and Adam Drysdale (real estate broker/family member).