Parker ordinance targets unsafe buildings

PARKER — Parker officials hope to clean up the city using an ordinance approved Tuesday night that requires property owners to repair or raze structures deemed dangerous, a menace to public health or a fire hazard.

The ordinance allows the City Commission, upon the recommendation of Bay County Builders’ Services, to give the city’s code inspector authority to order the “vacation, demolition or removal” of an unsafe or unfit structure. The code inspector also could order repair or replacement of the structure.

The City Council must determine whether the structure is dangerous to the occupants, a health or fire hazard or is “so unsafe as to endanger life or property or to render the use of public streets dangerous.”

Mayor Tonya Barrow said it is an ordinance that has been in the works for some time, and she expects it to be used to clean up property along U.S. Business 98.

“We’re just trying to clean up Parker,” she said.

Among the first targets is the old Miller Motors property at 4437 E. Business 98. A phone number listed for the property owner was disconnected Wednesday.

Barrow said the city has received numerous complaints about the property that is among the first people see when they drive into Parker.

If property owners don’t take action to address the nuisance within 14 days of receiving a notice from the city, “the city may demolish or otherwise abate the unsafe or unfit dwelling or structure” and a lien will be placed against the property to cover the expense. The demolition would either be contracted out or completed by city employees.