Patience runs out on run-down property

The county was lenient with the elderly owners as complaints piled up through the years. Now it plans action.

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 24, 2001

LARGO -- Charlie Carrao cringes when he looks at the property at 1748 S Missouri Ave.

Once the site of a 24-hour auto body shop, it now hosts a shell of a structure, with pieces of metal and wood hanging dangerously from the ceiling. Grass and weeds grow wild on the property. It also has become a hangout for vagrants.

"It's terrible," said Carrao, co-owner of Castrol Xpress Lube, 1724 S Missouri Ave., just outside Largo. "My customers have to see all this junk. One big storm will take that whole thing off onto Missouri Avenue."

Pinellas County government officials, who have heard complaints about the property from other business people and law enforcement agencies since 1995, also are concerned about the structure and its surroundings. But they admit to being lenient with the property owners, an elderly couple with health problems.

But now county officials vow stronger action to bring the property up to code.

"This seems to be dragging way too long," said Jack Tipton, assistant director of the county's buildings department. "We've got to look out for the other people there."

County officials identify the property owners as Eunice and Bill Little of Clearwater. The Littles could not be reached for comment. A woman who answered the telephone at their home and identified herself as a family friend said the couple were aware of the problems and were trying to sell the property.

The couple moved in 1951 to Clearwater, where Bill Little worked for county government as a purchasing analyst. A retired Realtor, Eunice Little owned and operated Eunice G. Little Realtors of Clearwater for 20 years.

County officials first wrote Bill Little in 1995 to say the property was unsafe, Tipton said. Little and county officials exchanged several letters during the next couple of years, but the condition of the property continued to decline, county officials say.

In February, Little was ordered to pay aan $81 fine for trash and debris on the grounds. In May, Little pleaded no contest and paid the fine. The trash and debris problems have persisted. County code enforcement officers are prepared to serve Little with a $162 fine, but they have been unable to do so.

Bob Mortoro, administrator of code enforcement for the county, inspected the property Monday. He said he intends to file a case against the landowners alleging that the grass is more than 12 inches high, which is a code violation. The Littles will have a couple of weeks to mow the property or the county will do it for them and charge them for the work, he said.

"If these folks are not going to clean it up for whatever reason, we'll get it cleaned up," Mortoro said.

County officials say they frequently encounter elderly residents who are unable to maintain their property. Officials often pass along the name and telephone number of a social service agency that can connect the elderly with services to help meet their needs. One such group is the Senior Help Line.

"It's a frequent call we get," said Helen King, deputy director of the Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas Inc., which operates the help line.

King said the help line often will refer elderly residents who have problems maintaining their homes to the Pinellas Opportunity Council, which does heavy household cleaning. Calls concerning commercial properties have been rare, she said.

Although the property is surrounded with an orange plastic fence and a warning notice to trespassers, Tipton wants to see a chain-link fence around the land.

Carrao, who said he saw Bill Little picking up mail from the property on Monday, said he's ready for the county to act.

"It is a dangerous situation," he said. "There are so many kids that play there. Something needs to be done."

Assistance for the elderly

Elderly residents who need help maintaining their property because of health or financial reasons may call the Senior Help Line at (727) 576-1533. They may also dial 211.

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