Baker County magistrate orders fines for two repeat code offenders

Baker County Special Magistrate Geraldine Harton on a county code enforcement hearing accepted staff recommendations and ordered administrative fees and continuing daily fines against two property owners for repeat zoning and nuisance violations.

The hearing addressed case no. 002-2025 for Michael Dayton and a separate case for Timothy J. Blanchard at 11261 Deerwood Circle. County staff told the magistrate Dayton was a repeat offender and reported violations including an unpermitted home occupation, improper land use, storage of inoperable vehicles, unpermitted storage buildings and storage of hazardous materials. Staff requested an $85 administrative fee, a $300 first-day fine and $30 per day thereafter up to 180 days. The magistrate noted Dayton was not present and said she would accept staff’s recommendation and "issue an order of fine, $300 for the first day, through 30 days, per day thereafter, for a total of 180 days, and then an $85 administrative fee be assessed and levied against mister Dayton's property," which county staff identified as 22324 National Forest Road 732, Sanderson, FL 32087.

The second case involved Timothy J. Blanchard, whom county staff also described as a repeat offender after a site visit earlier in the day. Staff reported multiple inoperable vehicles, trailers without current license plates, and excessive building and vehicle parts on the property, and requested an $85 administrative fee, a $150 first-day fine and $30 per day thereafter up to 180 days. Blanchard told the magistrate he had attempted to comply, saying, "I did what I was supposed to do. I told you I was gonna do it in 10 days," and described an RV his niece brought to the property that later broke down and was removed.

Magistrate Harton reviewed the county ordinance language on vehicle storage and discarded objects, noting that vehicles inoperable for more than 30 days must be inside an enclosed structure or at a licensed recycling business. She said the county’s evidence and Blanchard’s testimony showed the property was not in compliance and that the problem had recurred after prior hearings. She accepted staff’s recommendation and announced a fine structure and continuing daily fines, then directed Blanchard to clean the property and to notify county staff so an inspector could verify compliance and stop the fines. As Harton put it, "If you get it cleaned up by this weekend, call. She'll come out and take a look at it and your fine stops." (Magistrate Harton)

The magistrate emphasized that neighbors retain the right to file complaints and that repeat noncompliance will lead to enforcement: property owners cannot maintain a junk operation on parcels not zoned for that use. The hearing closed after county staff confirmed no further cases.

What happens next: the orders require the respondents to remove or properly store vehicles, tag trailers as required by law, and eliminate accumulations of discarded building parts or appliances. County staff will inspect on request; Harton said fines will cease only after staff verification of compliance.