County goes to court over junk

Hernando files a complaint against a junkyard owner after nearly 20 years of his promises to clean up Hubcap City.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 11, 2000

Junk collector L.B. Richards has worn out Hernando County's good will with his several broken promises to clear his junkyard on U.S. 19 north of Weeki Wachee.

Now the county is taking Richards to court to rid itself of the problems with Richards' OK Corral, commonly known as Hubcap City, once and for all. The action marks the culmination of more than 20 years of threats to close down the business and pledges to clean it up.

"Nobody wants to go out and use the heavy hammer of government if there's the chance that the individual will do it voluntarily," County Attorney Garth Coller said.

But the Code Enforcement Department has done "back flips" for Richards without a positive result, Commissioner Chris Kingsley said.

"I'm not sure we haven't gone too far on the other side already," he said, calling for quick action against Richards.

In its complaint, filed Thursday in circuit court, the county contends that Richards illegally has expanded his junkyard beyond the property where it originally existed when the county adopted its zoning code. The county also argues that Richards violates the state Junkyard Control Act by storing junk and trash less than 1,000 feet from a federal-aid primary highway without a fence or other screening.

"The described accumulation of rubbish, trash and debris on the . . . property increases the conditions leading to a haven or breeding place for vermin and adversely affects or impairs the economic welfare of the adjacent properties," according to the county complaint.

"Hernando County is authorized to abate such conditions and charge expenses of abatement to the owner and, if unpaid, to the property."

That's the action it seeks from the judge: an end to Richards' operation of a junkyard and, if he fails to comply, the right to remove the junk itself.

"The party is over," said Code Enforcement Director Frank McDowell III, who initiated the complaint.

Sitting on a chair amid rusty cans, ripped-up canvas bags and food attracting flies, Richards said he still wanted to sell his collection and his land so he can retire. Richards said he had not seen the county's complaint.

"Anybody interested in a good purchase should see me here and talk a deal before we auction it off," Richards said.

He said he had been clearing the property but had to stop when two trucks were stolen.

"We will continue if they see fit to let us," Richards said.

He will have 20 days to respond to the complaint after he is served with the paperwork. The county sent Sumter County inmates to remove tons of scrap metal from Hubcap City early in June. The County Commission authorized the complaint for an injunction at about the same time.

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