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