- July 4, 2026
The Daytona Beach City Commission unanimously approved two significant code enforcement actions during its July 1 meeting, authorizing foreclosure proceedings against two long-troubled properties carrying more than $116,000 in unpaid code enforcement liens and granting the city authority to seek an emergency injunction against the owner of a commercial building where officials say unpermitted construction poses potential life-safety risks.
City officials said both cases represent months — and in one instance years — of unsuccessful efforts to achieve voluntary compliance, prompting the city to pursue stronger legal remedies.
Commission authorizes foreclosure on properties with $116,000 in code liens
The first action involved two properties that have accumulated approximately $116,000 in code enforcement liens after repeated violations and extensive enforcement efforts by the city.
Attorney David Glasser, representing the property owner, urged commissioners to postpone the foreclosure authorization for 30 to 60 days, arguing that his client had been cooperating with the city through an existing court injunction and was attempting to resolve the outstanding issues.
Glasser told commissioners the liens far exceeded the estimated value of the properties and warned that foreclosure would likely leave his client with little opportunity to recover the properties. He also said the materials that prompted many of the city's complaints had already been removed and asked the commission to allow additional time before initiating another lawsuit.
Commissioner Quanita May, however, said residents deserved to understand why the city was pursuing foreclosure after years of complaints.
"I would like to make a couple of statements about the details that residents clearly understand what the issues are," May said. "Because on the surface, it seems perhaps that the city is just foreclosing. Not quite how I see it."
May said she became familiar with the properties after district boundary changes placed them within her commission district. During her first visit, she found large stacks of wooden pallets, gasoline tanks and equipment stored across the lots.
"I immediately stopped my car and called the city and I said, 'This is not acceptable in any community,'" she said.
May noted that nearby residents had documented years of complaints and that city staff repeatedly attempted to obtain voluntary compliance before recommending foreclosure. She also highlighted the fire hazards posed by the large quantities of wooden pallets stored on the properties.
"The city tried and tried. No response," May said. "We did all the legal things we're supposed to do, and at this point, I am not even hesitant. I would strongly encourage the commission to move forward on this particular issue."
She questioned what would be accomplished by granting another delay.
"How long does that community have to endure what he's doing over and over again with another delay?" May asked. "I do not think that my residents would be pleased with that."
City Attorney Ben Gross clarified that the proposed foreclosure was intended to recover the city's enforcement costs and was not dependent upon whether the property had since been brought into compliance.
"The basis for the foreclosure is that we have code enforcement liens on the property," Gross said. "It's not an issue under the foreclosure action whether the property remains in code compliance or not."
Gross explained that city staff had devoted significant time and resources to the case over several years and continued to expend resources because related litigation remains ongoing.
"There were significant costs incurred by staff, significant energy," Gross said, noting that the city remains involved in an active injunction case concerning the same properties.
Although Glasser reiterated that the pallets, gasoline tanks and other cited materials had been removed, commissioners unanimously voted to authorize the foreclosure action.
Injunction approved over safety concerns at former SunTrust building
Later in the meeting, commissioners unanimously authorized Ben Gross to seek an emergency injunction against the owner of the former SunTrust building at 501 N. Grandview Ave., where city officials said construction has continued despite a stop-work order and without required permits.
Gross told commissioners the city had received complaints regarding ongoing renovations, including what appears to be an effort to convert portions of the commercial building into residential units without complying with the Florida Building Code.
"If there's unpermitted activity that's going on that the Florida Building Code requires permitting for, that could represent life safety issues," Gross said.
He also noted that the building remains occupied by commercial tenants and that one tenant reportedly had been instructed by corporate officials not to enter the building because of safety concerns.
Deputy City Manager Jim Morris said the city initially issued a stop-work order after learning of the unauthorized construction but later discovered that work had continued despite the order.
"It's a fluid situation," Morris said. "It's potentially a dangerous situation."
Morris said windows had been altered to accommodate window air-conditioning units, the building lacks functioning central air conditioning and the city's normal code enforcement process would not address the situation quickly enough given the potential safety concerns.
During public comment, former member of the city's Planning Board Tracy Remark warned that alterations to the building's windows had compromised the structural integrity of the exterior walls. She expressed concern that the modifications could become especially dangerous during hurricane season if not corrected.
Following discussion, commissioners broadened the proposed injunction to prohibit occupancy of the building until all required building permits are obtained, inspections completed and the structure is brought into full compliance with applicable building and safety codes.
The amended resolution was then approved unanimously.
City officials said pursuing an injunction allows the city to seek immediate court intervention rather than relying solely on the slower code enforcement process, reflecting the urgency of the potential public safety issues identified at the property.
