FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla — Neighbors in Fernandina Beach are voicing their concerns about a home they believe is in desperate need of attention, as large piles of trash and debris are spread across the yard.
They say it’s just one example of why they hope to see a Public Nuisance Abatement Board created in Nassau County, like other counties have.
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Records Action News Jax uncovered show the owner was received a fine of $500 per day on June 14, 2022 -- general nuisance affecting public health (Ordinance 2015-10, Section 6.01) and violation of an ordinance involving parking, storage or use of major recreational equipment (Ordinance 97-19, Section 28.06).
A spokesperson with Nassau County confirmed that the home on Pine Road has an active code enforcement case.
Recent records show the owner currently owes more than $88,000 in fines.
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A timeline by Nassau County Code Enforcement shows the complaints first started in December of 2021.
“I retired six years ago, and this is my retirement home,” said neighbor Bill Bright. “So this is not what I had envisioned.”
Bright has lived in his Fernandina Beach home for 15 years.
Frank Amador also expressed concerns and has lived at his home on the street since 2007.
“We really need help,” Amador said.
Desirae Edenfield, who does not own the home, told Action News Jax she has permission from the owner to live inside.
“We don’t want to live like this no more,” Edenfield said.
Edenfield said she lives in the home with four others.
“If you guys can see I’m stacking it,” Edenfield said as she raked trash. “I’m putting it in…. whatever I could do to straighten up this yard, so this little town right here would be back the way it was.”
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Records show the owner of the home is Glenn Potter.
He’s currently in Nassau County Jail and Detention Center on multiple charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. These charges are pending.
“Last night between midnight and 4 a.m. there was screaming and cussing, and a large group of people coming and going,” Bright said. “This is a normal occurrence here.”
Several neighbors are pushing for a Public Nuisance Abatement Board in Nassau County.
They tell me a Board would allow for immediate action to be taken and situations to be fixed at a quicker pace.
According to the county: in 2019 the County adopted Ordinance No. 2019-15, known as the Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code, however it deals with maintenance of buildings or structures that are vacant and deemed unsafe.
“There are constant people coming up and down, during the day and at night,” Amador said. “I don’t know what is going on in there.”
Neighbors have also reached out to Senator Clay Yarborough requesting Congressional Oversight.
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