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Magistrate authorizes abatement to board and secure vacant house at 60850 Ninth Street
Summary
The magistrate found 60850 Ninth Street posed a public-health and safety threat — officers described missing plumbing and electricity and evidence of occupancy. The magistrate granted the city authority to abate, board and secure the property and to assess abatement costs.
The Special Magistrate on Aug. 6 concluded that 60850 Ninth Street presented public-health and safety concerns and granted the City of West Palm Beach authority to abate the property.
Code officer Andrew Jacks testified that an interdepartmental inspection with building and fire staff had identified the structure as unsafe: the property lacked electricity and plumbing, had structural concerns, and occupants without legal access were present. Jacks said the building department had labeled the house unsafe and code enforcement observed signs of vagrancy and occupancy.
Magistrate Keith Davis found the evidence in the record established an imminent threat to public health, safety and welfare and granted the relief requested by the city: abatement authority to board and secure the property and to enter the lot for abatement if the owner failed to correct conditions within the time ordered. The magistrate also authorized assessment of abatement costs and daily penalties where applicable.
The magistrate’s order permits the city to proceed quickly because the building department had declared the structure unsafe and there was no owner representative in attendance to describe an immediate remediation plan.
