- April 19, 2024
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Forty-three neglected or unfinished homes in Palm Coast neighborhoods have been addressed.
The city of Palm Coast has spent $64,325 to repair 43 nuisance properties, according to documents provided by city staff in a review of ordinances that were passed in 2010 to address vacant homes and lots.
Tasks performed to address the properties include demolishing half-built homes, removing hazardous trees, mowing lawns, removing trash from yards and repairing fences.
City Manager Jim Landon said this review will be annual.
“These are the properties that were not taken care of per our code, so the city paid for some maintenance,” Landon said at the Aug. 30 workshop. “Instead of just placing a lien, this is actually making it a tax assessment so that it has priority over mortgages. Hopefully, the taxpayers have a better chance of getting paid back once the property sells.”
The 2010 ordinances give the city the power to evaluate property that is vacant, abandoned or in the foreclosure process. If it is considered a nuisance, the city has authority to abate that property.
If a property is deemed to be in violation, the city serves a legal notice to the property owner, giving reasonable time to appeal or address the issue. If the owner does not comply, the city does the work.
In March 2010, the City Council passed an ordinance to create an assessment area and authorize the assessments to be attached to the annual tax bill, rather than putting a lien on the property.
Though the city is paying the bill now for addressing the problematic properties, the goal is ensure the city and the taxpayers are reimbursed, Landon said.
— Brian McMillan contributed to this report.
