01-07-92 v CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
AGENDA
7:30 P. M. , JANUARY 7, 1992
Call to order
Pledge to the Flag
Roll Call
1 . Approval of the minutes of the meetings of November 5, 1991 and
December 10, 1991 .
2 . Recognition of Visitors and Guests
3 . Old Business:
For review:
Case No. 0022 - Charles Watson, owner of property located
at 210 Mayport Road and adjacent property, Atlantic Beach, in
violation of City Ordinance Section 12-1, for a dangerous
structure and Section 103 . 2. 1 of the Standard Housing Code for
unlawful storage.
For review:
Case No. 0024 - Thomas L. Jackson, owner of property located at
463 Irex Road, in violation of City Ordinance Section 12-1( 7 ) ,
unlawful storage of abandoned vehicles.
4. New Business
Case No. 0020 - Forrest Thomas, owner of property, located
at 45 Donner Road, in violation of City Ordinance Section 12-
1( 7 ) , unlawful storage of junk vehicles.
5. Board Members Comments
6. Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEETING
HELD AT THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY HALL
ON JANUARY 7, 1992
CALL TO ORDER Present: George Bull, Jr. Chairman
Barbara Bonner
Heywood Dowling, Jr.
Edward Martin
Herbert Moller
And: Suzanne Bass, Prosecuting Attorney
Alan Jensen, Legal Counsel to Board
Don Ford, Code Enforcement Officer
Trudy Lopanik, Secretary
Absent: John Venn, Excused
1. Approval of Minutes of November 5, 1991 and December 10, 1991.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the minutes of the
meetings of November 5, 1991 and December 10, 1991 .
2. Recognition of visitors and guests -
There were no visitors or guests.
3. Old Business:
a. Case no. 0022 - Charles Watson, owner of property located at 210 Mayport
Road and adjacent property, Atlantic Beach, in violation of City Ordinance
Section 12-1, for a dangerous structure and Section 103. 2 . 1 of the Standard
Housing code for unlawful storage.
Don Ford reminded the Board that at the last regular meeting Mr. Watson was
requested to bring his property into compliance with city codes. Mr. Ford
advised that Mr. Watson has brought his property into compliance with city
codes to the satisfaction of the city. He advised that Mr. Watson is trying
to decide what to do with his property and presently the property is being
advertised for lease. If the property is leased, the property will be
renovated for the tenant. Mr. Ford also advised that he followed the
instruction of the Board and the first step of condemnation proceedings has
begun and Mr. Watson has been notified. Mr. Ford advised that he will
continue to give the board updates on this property. He indicated that the
condemnation process will take about six to nine months. This case will be
monitored by the Board via reports from Mr. Ford.
b. Case No. 0024 - Thomas L. Jackson, owner of property located at 463 Irex
Road, in violation of City Ordinance Section 12-1 (7) , unlawful storage of
abandoned vehicles.
Mr. Ford indicated Mr. Jackson has reduced the amount of cars on his property
from six cars to three cars. He has placed a canvass covering over two cars
that remain in his yard. Mr. Ford reported that Mr. Jackson indicated one
car is sold and will be removed shortly. The other car is being used for
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Minutes of Code Enforcement Board Meeting
January 7, 1992
parts to rebuild a car which is located on his carport. Mr. Ford indicated
the complainants are satisfied with the results of this compliance. Mr.
Martin indicated his displeasure in the appearance of this property and he
indicated he does not feel the placing of canvass over a car solves the
problem. After a short discussion the Board indicated their feeling that
this property is in compliance.
c. Definition of Junk Car
Mr. Bull asked Alan Jensen, City Attorney, if he has a definition of what
constitutes a junk car to which Mr. Jensen replied he has received some
language from Suzanne Bass. Mr. Jensen indicated he will ask the City
Commission at their next regular meeting if they would like an ordinance to
define junk cars prepared.
d. Appointment of new Vice-Chairman
Mr. Bull advised the Board that since the vacancy of Mattie Freeman the
Board is without a Vice-Chairman. A motion was made, seconded, and passed
to appoint Edward Martin as Vice Chairman.
4. New Business
Case No. 0020 - Forest Thomas, owner of property located at 45 Donner Road,
in violation of City Ordinance Section 12-1(7) , unlawful storage of junk
vehicles Vice-Chairman Edward Martin read the case hearing procedure and all
witnesses were sworn in.
Suzanne Bass advised the Board that Forest Thomas is a licensed welder and
runs a welding business at 45 Donner Road. She indicated the evidence will
show Don Ford has been talking to Mr. Thomas since March of 1991 in an effort
to have Mr. Thomas clean up the surrounding premises to his welding business.
Pictures that have been taken indicate the premises contain a school bus,
car, flat bed dump type truck and another wrecked vehicle. This property has
several inoperable vehicles as well as several other items of debris and
metal type objects. The evidence indicates the junk cars have not been
driven for some time and have been at the same location for a very long
period of time.
Don Ford asked the Board to examine the case sheet, Item No. 7, which
indicates the latest inspection was made today ( January 7, 1992 ) and
indicates the property is not in compliance. Mr. Ford indicated he spoke to
the owner several times and has met with him several times since March 4,
1991 . Mr. Ford indicated he told Mr. Thomas that the debris should be
removed from the property, as well as several junk vehicles, drums, and other
items. Mr. Ford indicated he explained to Mr. Thomas the only items that are
allowed to be on this property are those items that are incidental to his
welding business. Mr. Ford also explained to Mr. Thomas that he is licensed
as a welder, only, and not as body repair or any other type business. Mr.
Ford indicated Mr. Thomas made an attempt to clean up the property and he
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Minutes of Code Enforcement Board Meeting
January 7, 1992
also put a fence up; however, the property is still not in compliance. Mr.
Ford passed out pictures and indicated he took the pictures today ( January 7,
1992 ) and that the bus and some of the other vehicles have been on the
premises since March. One car and large truck and chassis have been there
for at least two months. None of the vehicles have current license plates
and it appears that none of the vehicles are operable.
Ms. Bass asked Mr. Ford to elaborate on the attempt that Mr. Thomas made to
clean up the property to which Mr. Ford replied that some of the cars were
taken away and some of the debris was removed. Debris was collected and
placed on the city right-of-way for garbage pickup by Mr. Thomas. Mr. Ford
indicated he explained to Mr. Thomas on several occasions that he was not
allowed to have debris and vehicles on the premises. It was brought out that
the license Mr. Thomas has is a current license and that the property on
Donner Road is zoned for commercial business. There are residences on each
side of this property, however, these houses have been grandfathered in as
the zoning changed after the houses were built. Mr. Ford reported he has
received several complaints from a resident who lives across the street from
this property. The complaints were made against the general condition of the
property and the fact that Mr. Thomas has a welder' s license and not a
license to repair cars.
Mr. Bull asked if the zoning in this neighborhood would permit automobile
repair to which Mr. Ford replied this would be permitted only as "use by
exception. "
Forest Thomas
Forest Thomas stepped forward and indicated the bus on his property is not in
operating condition. The white truck, however, is an operating vehicle and
is used in the every day operation of Mr. Thomas ' business. Mr. Thomas
indicated he did not want to argue about anything but he merely wants to know
how much time the Board will give him to clean up his property. He indicated
he would like to keep the drums on the property as the drums are used for his
business.
The Board asked Mr. Thomas how long it would take to clean up the property to
which Mr. Thomas indicated 60 days. Mr. Thomas added he must take the bus
apart in pieces in order to remove it from the premises. A discussion
followed and it was decided to give Mr. Thomas 60 days and to impose a fine
if the property is not brought into compliance.
It was moved by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Moeller, and passed, to give Mr.
Thomas 60 days, until March 7, 1992, to bring the property into compliance
with City Codes. If this property is not brought into compliance by March 7,
1992, there will be a fine of $50.00 per day imposed on Forest Thomas.
Compliance is as follows: removal of junk cars, bus, and debris to the
satisfaction of Code Enforcement Inspector Don Ford.
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Minutes of Code Enforcement Board Meeting
January 7, 1992
Report concerning 851 Plaza
Mr. Ford indicated the lock was missing from the gate of this property and
thus the city was able to enter the property, cut the grass, and remove the
junk vehicle. Mr. Ford indicated the cost to do this work is approximately
$600.00.
Mr. Martin asked the City Attorney if it is legal to park a school bus in a
yard to which the City Attorney indicated a school bus would be considered a
commercial vehicle and thus in most neighborhoods this would not be allowed.
Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8: 30 p. m.
George Bull, Jr.
ATTEST:
Trudy Lopanik
Secretary