Board upholds notice of nuisance, orders voluntary abatement within 30 days for Lakeshore Blvd. properties

The Lake County Board of Supervisors upheld a notice of nuisance and order to abate for two adjacent Lakeshore Boulevard properties owned in part by Steven Ratislaw and directed voluntary abatement within 30 days, authorizing county abatement and placement of resulting costs as a special assessment if the owner does not comply.

Community Development Code Enforcement Manager Marcus Belrammo told the board the primary violation is land‑use: contractor operations (pile driving, equipment storage) and extensive personal and business storage on parcels zoned R1 (4258) and Commercial‑Resort (4270) are inconsistent with the parcels' zoning and create unsightly conditions visible from the roadway. Belrammo summarized the department’s case: the properties have a long history of notices and, following inspections in 2022 and renewed observations in 2025–2026, staff concluded that unpermitted structures, inoperable vehicles, and storage exceeded what zoning allows.

Owner Steven Ratislaw and counsel disputed the enforcement, presenting a 2006 minor use permit and arguing historical, long‑standing use. Counsel asked the board to allow fencing or other mitigation rather than abatement. "This property has been used openly in many different fashions since approximately 1957 and industrial vehicles have been parked there for decades," counsel said, asking the board to permit an 8‑foot fence to shield the view.

After discussion about zoning history, nonconforming uses, and prior enforcement steps, the board voted to sustain the notice of nuisance and direct voluntary abatement within 30 days; staff were authorized to abate and place associated costs on the tax roll if the owner fails to comply. One supervisor recorded an abstention; the motion carried by the board as recorded in the minutes.