[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6381743,"mediaKeyId","2127977-03981bc85521cb96c6a1a12c062389da","parentId",2127977,"title","Commission tables decision on lien release for 1601 Orange Drive after heated debate","audioSeconds",2404,"startMs",4860970,"endMs",7265050,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127977-03981bc85521cb96c6a1a12c062389da&start=4860&end=7265","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127977-03981bc85521cb96c6a1a12c062389da/thumbnail_4860970.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6381743/Florida/Commission-tables-decision-on-lien-release-for-1601-Orange-Drive-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381743-9a03c020aedf578ad5254748f0ee614e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993466&Signature=SH-Qkzdb1OIQU9GQrkYUWxrlIVPxKhTOvBScRE9dM8LrL6WWHIdtHCZO11ThR5RbwJfW~HrJBFWTanSFSXvEHl4KlJ6qp190h27BEqMv77HgS5xEsTq--HKey9~nbkgGgY49Lbj7EDsIoBVr~A2S0QVsPS2UtxsYML0PN5V0aL2HgwBHl2zbRY5eZbL0irs3WJ0DRpBGL~FE~YbTZ6NIoOqr7NFyUHCWTJNDnE4l60p1lthAdokjSvrOE25ntLSZ0dWhoSmlpbcKaVYqi54DcI4dSZZB-LKG0nxxWI67cSaHijtjzPf~Z2VgJP98OZZb6-qRlfy9tiuU44YhOHlpGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eustis, FL","date","2025-01-18T08:15:47.32Z","article","The City Commission of Eustis on Jan. 16, 2025, tabled consideration of Resolution 25‑11, a request to reduce and release a code enforcement lien recorded against 1601 Orange Drive. The Code Enforcement Board had adopted an order reducing outstanding fines associated with the property from $28,750 to $13,230; city staff recommended waiving the remainder of the lien. After lengthy public discussion and testimony from the code enforcement board chair and city staff, commissioners voted to table the item to the next meeting so Commissioner Holland can participate and so staff can prepare revised resolution language that includes the option to eliminate the lien.

What the record shows: city staff explained that the property had been subject to a tax deed sale in December 2023 and the county remitted $66,578.11 in surplus proceeds to the city. The original code fines recorded against the property totaled about $95,000; one of two code liens was satisfied from the tax deed surplus and the remaining fines totaled $28,750 before the board reduced that amount to $13,230. Staff told the commission that the new owner promptly brought the property into compliance and materially renovated the house within months of purchase. Staff recommended a full waiver of the remaining lien; the Code Enforcement Board declined a full waiver and voted instead for the $13,230 reduction. The property owner was not present at the commission meeting.

Debate and positions: Police Chief (identified in the record as Chief Capri) and several commissioners criticized the board’s approach and the record‑keeping that left the city seeking additional funds after claiming a large tax deed surplus. Alan Paskowski, chair of the Code Enforcement Board, said the board members had followed evidence presented and expressed concern about establishing inconsistent exceptions to policy. Staff noted the difference in tax deed sales versus ordinary real estate transactions and warned buyers that “buyer beware” rules apply for some liens. Commissioners expressed a range of views: some favored waiving the remaining balance as staff recommended, others saw a need for policy clarity to avoid inconsistent treatment of purchasers and to protect adjacent property owners’ values.

Formal action: The commission voted on a motion to table the resolution to the next meeting so the full commission could consider the matter and so staff could present alternative wording (including an option to eliminate the lien entirely). Roll call on the motion to table recorded the following votes: Commissioner Lee — Aye; Commissioner Azbadi — Aye; Vice Mayor Ashcraft — Aye; Mayor Hawkins — Aye. The motion passed and the matter was tabled.

Why this matters: The item raises procedural and policy questions about how the city treats code enforcement liens that survive tax deed sales, how surplus tax deed proceeds are distributed, and whether the city should treat purchasers who promptly correct violations differently from prior violators. The commission asked staff to return with revised language and indicated interest in a follow‑up workshop or joint meeting with the Code Enforcement Board to clarify policy and expectations.

Ending: The commission directed staff to prepare a revised resolution and return the item at the next meeting, when Commissioner Holland is expected to be present. Staff and the Code Enforcement Board were also urged to consider a joint workshop to review how tax‑deed cases and lien waivers should be handled going forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Commission Meeting - 16 January, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission tabled Resolution 25‑11 on Jan. 16, 2025, which would have reduced and released a code enforcement lien on 1601 Orange Drive after the Code Enforcement Board cut outstanding fines to $13,230 and staff recommended a full waiver.","taxTitle","City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida","taxId",71128,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381747,"Developers present Block 3 mixed‑use concept and 520‑space garage; commission seeks consultant",3199,712510,3912150,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127977-03981bc85521cb96c6a1a12c062389da&start=712&end=3912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127977-03981bc85521cb96c6a1a12c062389da/thumbnail_712510.jpg","/articles/6381747/Florida/Developers-present-Block-3-mixeduse-concept-and-520space-garage-commission-seeks-consultant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381747-c1773293543563c427687e5b18f19174/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993466&Signature=FFrlMmC4oST-GwmItnmlcp1IprZtndiW-vjWGGZCoT8GLIjglY46vcA9wjSqRsAJ1Ni4RFJbYrjwi8KGNUaAU6p0hXt0Gz1Lr3~FCKHeI-I9~qaK6fH3EZ42csDXheVTuRPNV7JgQTb~t5ORW897auMUjMXXczWGXA2TVe0rKET9hBYKYDKmo1v1Pq3SnsCjyk-TX8XDmLyugz6RBHEVtZcwRnOcZiNlyyxwRH7vno~hhWiVndSR8kU8DXSH6qyDf~mOly7mmLUyRZPYBcZUH~RGq6YNwW7-AjdwrDvAAQVhqV0ADuyHoAlLg0tHGFjUDW0m9uN-RW30OPLf-dPl4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jerry Gunther and Derek Wallace, working with partners including FinFrock and Crossman, presented a concept for downtown Block 3 and adjacent parcels at the City of Eustis City Commission meeting on Jan. 16, 2025. The team proposed a mixed‑use build that would include retail, office and residential over three stories, and a parking garage designed to hold roughly 520 spaces to serve the three‑block redevelopment.

The developers said the downtown master plan’s parking estimate (about 220 spaces) is far below projected need if the blocks include a 100‑room hotel, a reception/convention space, retail and residential units. Using typical demand blends, the team estimated a peak need near 594 spaces and described arriving at a planning target of about 500 spaces; the current conceptual garage layout yields about 520 spaces. Gunther said the first projects will be the mixed‑use and the garage on Block 3, with residential on Block 2 to follow. Derek Wallace said the mixed‑use portion would be primarily three stories with retail on the ground floors, offices above and residential on upper floors.

Why it matters: downtown stakeholders said parking, walkability and tenant feasibility will determine whether the project can secure financing and private operators. Commissioners pressed the developers on walkability, the garage’s location and market demand; several said a parking structure in the center of the three blocks could harm pedestrian circulation and urged designs that screen or wrap the garage with active uses. Developers and commissioners also discussed timing for a hotel operator and the need to show “energy” on site before a hotel operator would commit.

Commission direction and next steps: city staff said the city manager is seeking information from potential development consultants and aims to have a consultant on board before the Feb. 13 workshop so the consultant can attend and advise. Several commissioners urged pausing major design work until the consultant’s analysis is available; others urged the development team to continue concept work so the commission sees progress. Developers said they expect site plans for all three blocks within six months and that hotel development, if it occurs, would take longer to begin.

Details and tradeoffs: the team showed multiple garage elevation concepts — including masonry treatments to match a downtown character and lower‑cost alternatives that rely on banners and other surface treatments. They described options to hide the garage behind mixed‑use buildings, and said the garage footprint could be adjusted from roughly 350 to as many as 600 spaces depending on the final program and financing. The developers said retail sizes are flexible and will be defined by tenant needs; they estimated roughly 80 residential units for one phase but cautioned that unit counts are conceptual. Crossman (a tenant‑sourcing firm) and FinFrock (garage designer/builder) were identified as partners.

Concerns raised: commissioners repeatedly returned to walkability and the placement of parking on the “outskirts versus in the middle” of downtown; several asked for a market/feasibility analysis to support assumptions about rents, vacancy and tenant demand before the commission commits to a specific parking footprint. Commissioners asked staff to obtain a consultant to test financing assumptions, walkability tradeoffs and likely tenant demand.

What’s next: staff will pursue a consultant engagement with the goal of having the consultant attend the Feb. 13 workshop. Developers will continue limited concept work and will return with additional designs for Block 2 at the next meeting. The commission did not take a formal vote on a redevelopment agreement or any development‑specific approvals on Jan. 16.

Ending: The commission and development team agreed to keep the proposal nonbinding while they obtain consultant analysis and refine site plans. The developers said they would return with more detailed materials for the next meeting and that timelines for hotel development remain contingent on operator interest and financing.","Developers Jerry Gunther and Derek Wallace presented a mixed‑use concept for downtown Eustis — including a parking garage sized at about 520 spaces — and commissioners directed staff to bring a consultant on board to test feasibility and refine design before major commitments.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission tables decision on lien release for 1601 Orange Drive after heated debate

Developers present Block 3 mixed‑use concept and 520‑space garage; commission seeks consultant