The City of St. Augustine is seeking City Commission approval to foreclose on a property on S. Leonardi Street due to unpaid code enforcement liens, according to an agenda item.
The property has debris and other violations related to the operation of a tree trimming business, including log splitting, tree debris, and machinery, in violation of city code, a city memo states.
According to property records, the parcel is roughly 4,000 square feet and includes a 1,000 square foot structure built in 1928.
Municipalities can foreclose on properties with unpaid code enforcement fines.
In this case, two liens, each totaling $50,000, are already of record, bringing the total to $100,000.
A third code enforcement case is currently pending.
The foreclosure was authorized by a Special Magistrate earlier this month, providing the legal basis for the city to proceed.
While Commission approval does not immediately transfer ownership, it enables the city to pursue the liens through court proceedings.
Reached by phone, the property’s current occupant said he was aware that fines had been imposed but planned on contesting the foreclosure at Monday’s meeting.
