Crescent City Commission waives fines and administrative fee for decades-old code case at 100 Lakeshore Drive

On April 9, 2026 the Crescent City Commission voted unanimously to waive a longstanding fine and related administrative fee in the code enforcement case for 100 Lakeshore Drive, owned by George C. Miller III. Staff told commissioners the file showed the property was not in compliance on Dec. 26, 2006, and may have been listed as in compliance on Jan. 23, 2007; staff recommended reducing the $700 fine to $0 to help Mr. Miller clear title as he seeks to sell his home.

The staff presentation noted photographs now in the file dated Nov. 21, 2006, and inspections with images taken April 9, 2026. Staff also calculated an administrative charge of $203.12. A city staff member told the commission that Mr. Miller has been cited multiple times in recent years but typically brought the property into compliance before cases advanced to the special magistrate; staff said Mr. Miller is in poor health and is trying to relocate to a continuing-care retirement facility.

Commissioner Lawrie moved to reduce the fine and the administrative charge to zero, saying the historical record was unclear and that waiving the amounts would expedite Mr. Miller’s relocation. Several commissioners expressed concern about setting precedent for waiving charges where files do not clearly document compliance dates; one commissioner urged the city to develop policy guidance. Public comment in support of Mr. Miller came from a resident who identified himself as Bobby, who asked the commission to “clear the decks on this and let him go,” recounting Miller’s assistance to the city during the 2004 hurricanes.

After public comment the commission took a roll call vote. Commissioners DeVito, Lohrey (Vice Mayor), Moore, Burton and Mayor Myers each voted “Aye,” and the motion passed unanimously. The commission directed staff to bring back a mechanism or policy (staff said they hope to return something in June) so future waivers are applied consistently.

What the record shows: staff recommended the reduction because of the age of the lien and Mr. Miller’s hardship; the file as cited in the meeting does not show a clear, verifiable compliance date (staff said it could not confirm precisely when the final violations were corrected). The administrative charge in the affidavit was stated as $203.12 and was waived by the vote.

Next steps: staff will prepare policy options for the commission to consider at a later meeting to standardize how old liens, administrative costs and hardship claims are handled.