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Boa 95 PaGF,48 UNSAFE STRUCTURE - ABANDONED GAS STATION 8980 U.S. #1 WABASSO - CONDEMNATION, DEMOLITION & REMOVAL The Board reviewed a Memorandum of May 15, 1995: TO: James E. Chandler County Administrator DATE: May 15, 1995 SUBJECT: Condemnation, Demolition and Removal of Unsafe Structure: Larry Catron Investments, Inc. Abandoned Gas Station 8980 U.S. Highway 19 Wabasso, Fl - . . THROUGH: Robert M. Heating, Director RACK. Community Development Department FROM: Ester L. Rymer, Building Division It is requested that the data herein presented -be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at their regular meeting of June 20, 1995. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: The abandoned gas station at 8980 U.S. Highway 1 in Wabasso has been the subject of *eode enforcement action for over a year. Despite various attempts, staff has been unable to serve the owner with formal notice of code enforcement action. In this case, code enforcement would probably be ineffective anyway, because soil contamination has severely reduced the property's value. 'Consequently, code enforcement staff recently requested that building division staff inspect the property. Upon inspection, building staff condemned the referenced structure and ordered the structure repaired or removed. Said structure is considered unsafe and detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. As per county code requirements, the owner of the property was issued notices to repair or remove the structure, and advised of his right to appeal the condemnation order before the Indian River County Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals. In addition, condemnation cards were posted on the property. Because staff could not obtain legal service on the property owner for the condemnation notice, a public notice was posted at the Indian River County Courthouse. ANALYSIS: The subject structure has been vaunt for a considerable time. During that time, the building has bontinued to deteriorate and has been frequented by vandals and transients. Not only has the owner failed to maintain the structure in compliance with the Minimum Standard Codes, he has failed to bring the structure into compliance as required by posted notice. Since the owner has not filed an appeal to the condemnation order, the County may now proceed with demolition of the structure. Because of 'site remediation liability concerns, staff has been cautious in proceeding with demolition of the referenced structure. According to the county attorney's office, however, the county may remove the surface structure without incurring liability for subsurface contamination. For that reason, staff has proceeded with this condemnation. 36 June 20, 1995