Lake Clarke Shores board authorizes town council to pursue foreclosure on blighted Westlake Drive property

The Town of Lake Clarke Shores Code Enforcement Board voted Dec. 4 to authorize the town council to pursue foreclosure on 7730 Westlake Drive, a property long subject to enforcement actions and contested ownership.

Town staff and counsel told the board the property had approximately $206,150 in town assessments as of Nov. 25 and that a first mortgage on the property was approximately $400,000, based on a conversation the town attorney reported having with the lender’s counsel. Staff warned that if the town pursued foreclosure it would be behind the first mortgage and could incur legal costs and the risk that the lender would secure the property at sale.

Board members discussed the pending ownership dispute — including a deed transfer contested by a family member — and a past state-level criminal investigation that produced probable cause but was not prosecuted at this time. Board members asked staff to balance foreclosure authorization with continued maintenance to avoid additional neighborhood blight; staff confirmed non-ad valorem assessments (for mowing, etc.) can be recouped on tax bills and that maintenance could continue while foreclosure is pursued.

After discussion, the board voted to authorize the town council to pursue foreclosure, subject to staff coordination on neighbor impacts and property maintenance. Board members emphasized the need to confirm title priority and consult with the town manager and attorney as the process proceeds. The board’s authorization does not itself start a foreclosure sale; it directs the council and staff to pursue the civil remedy under Florida law if appropriate given title and mortgage priorities.