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Wilton family asks county to act after co-owner occupies hurricane‑ruined Little Gasparilla home; magistrate authorizes abatement
Summary
Wilton family members said a co-owner occupying 9290 Little Gasparilla Island prevented a FEMA‑approved demolition; the magistrate ordered demolition or abatement with 30 days to comply, warned of liens for county demolition costs, and noted the county could ask law enforcement to remove occupants if necessary.
Family members representing the Wilton estate told the magistrate on April 23 that they seek enforcement and practical help to remove an occupant who has blocked demolition of a Hurricane Ian‑damaged home at 9290 Little Gasparilla Island.
"There are 4 parties on the deed, and one of the members... decided to take up residence at that property in a tent," Jay Wilton said, explaining that the family had secured FEMA demolition approval after Ian but the occupant prevented the crew’s access. The Wiltons said they had filed a partition action in county court and were asking the magistrate both for leniency on fines and for orders that would help force resolution so demolition could proceed.
County code compliance officer Gary Rodelhorst confirmed the property had been inspected and that prior demo permits had expired; he offered photographs and permit history as evidence. The magistrate told the family that county abatement (county‑contracted demolition with costs placed as a lien on the property) was an available tool but cautioned it can impose substantial hard costs and potential lien consequences. "Abatement means that if the county deems it's an unsafe structure needs to be demolished, that they could demolish it themselves," the magistrate said.
Given the facts and the risk the structure presented on a barrier island, the magistrate ordered demolition/abatement authority and set a 30‑day compliance window for the owners to resolve access or otherwise proceed. The magistrate and county staff also confirmed that, if removal of an occupant is necessary, the sheriff’s office can be engaged to enforce trespass or eviction actions under appropriate legal authority.
The proceedings illustrated the practical and legal challenges of post‑storm recovery on barrier islands: higher demolition costs, longer survey and permitting delays, and the complication of multiple deed holders or occupants who block remediation actions. The magistrate’s order will be reduced to writing and mailed to the parties.
