Code compliance board gives owner until June 30 to fix hazards at 350 Mission Drive

The New Smyrna Beach Code Compliance Board on May 21 ordered the owner of 350 Mission Drive to bring the property into full compliance by June 30, 2026 or be subject to daily fines. Officer John Parks, who presented the staff report, told the board the site had been the focus of a law-enforcement operation and an inspection on March 12 found multiple electrical safety violations, large amounts of trash and numerous temporary structures behind the primary building.

"The property itself had turned into an unauthorized tent city," Parks said, describing tents and substructures with indoor cooking and a "spiderweb" of 25–30 long extension cords running through the parcel. Parks identified specific citations including IPMC 604.3 and City Code Section 26-9-14 (subsections 6, 7, 9 and 13) and recommended the board set June 30 as the compliance deadline and impose fines of $50 per violation per day, not to exceed $15,000, if the owner failed to comply.

Board members asked about notice and owner contact; Parks said a notice of violation was posted March 26, 2026 with an initial compliance date of April 17, and a certified mailing to the owner was signed for April 1. He said a May 12 follow-up inspection showed some progress but that violations remained, including inoperable sprinkler and fire-alarm systems and an unsafe circuit panel. The presenting officer identified a property owner name in staff materials as Teresa N. Gaskin.

Committee member Aaron Dennis moved to accept the staff recommendation; Parks seconded. The board voted unanimously to carry the motion. Chairman Dan Kopfert advised respondents they must contact the code inspector to verify compliance and that they have 30 days after the order is executed to appeal to the circuit court.