BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Lake Butler officials granted the owners of a property with an illegal storage container unit behind Sunrise Food Mart a four-month extension to August 1 to remove the container.
In his written report to Lake Butler City commissioners before the commission’s May 20 meeting, Code Enforcement Officer Lyn Williams reported that an August 23, 2024, complaint caused his first contact with the property owner that same month.
“(The) owner inherited the container decades ago when he purchased the property,” Williams wrote. “Was unaware of current violation and will have it removed.”
Williams said he received no response from a December 2024 letter he wrote regarding the violation, and he mailed a second letter on February 28.
The officer added that in March-April, 2025, Lake Butler’s city manager granted the property owner a four-month extension to August 1 to remove the container.
Williams reported two additional violations with container-storage units, one on East Main Street and another near Lake Butler Elementary School.
The officer wrote that in February, he was informed that a container-storage unit was moved onto 350 East Main Street in violation of city codes. Webb Capital and Investments owned the parcel, and Williams mailed a letter of violation to the owner on February 28.
The following month, the city granted the owner an extension to move the unit.
“As of April 1, 2025,” Williams wrote, “confirmed that container unit has been removed from property. Issue resolved.”
Williams wrote that on April 10, city officials complained about a container-storage unit behind Lake Butler Elementary School on County Road 231.
He reported that the parcel belonged to an estate, adding that he had taken photos of the violation and had mailed a letter to the property owner on April 10.
Other code enforcement issues reported by Williams were,
Long-running feud between neighbors
Williams reported that between October 2024 and April 2025, Felicia Harvey complained about alleged violations next to and across from her house on Southwest Fifth Street.
“Many of the issues are not code enforcement but those addressing beautification are being addressed,” Williams wrote. “Spoke to Mrs. Barbara “Jackie” Johns on 10/24/24, and she has limited income but really wants to comply. Stated this was a long feud between the two parties. Stated she needs more time to bring her property in compliance.”
Right-of-way violations
Williams wrote that he met with the city manager about an alleged illegal home-based business named Rose N Shine Trucking operating on South Lake Avenue. However, Williams determined that the company was allowed to operate within the town and was issued an occupational license.
“But they are also in violation of parking semi-truck trailers in right of way for city and on school property,” he added.
Williams reported that he took photos of the violation in February and received more complaints about the illegal parking in March.
“Sent letter to property owner on March 28, 2025, with photos attached,” he wrote. “Have not had a reported violation since letter but will continue to monitor.”
Williams added that he received no additional complaints in April and continued to watch for the violation on the weekends.
“Did meet with owner on May 2, 2025, to discuss and issue further warning,” he wrote. “Stated he would comply and no further issues.”
Williams said he dealt with another alleged right-of-way violation on Southeast Sixth Avenue and Southeast Fourth Street after receiving a complaint from Vice Mayor Rondoll L. Huggins.
“On 4/8/25, I responded and spoke to Mr. Watts about the complaint,” reported Williams. “He stated he moved his truck from 4th Street to 6th Avenue. Watts did not have any vehicle violating any right of way on 4th Street.”
The officer added that he still gave Watts a verbal warning, took photos of the area, and responded to Huggins by email on April 9.
“This is a constant problem that continues to be monitored,” he wrote.
School zone-speed limit sign in wrong spot
Williams said that on April 9, the city received a complaint about a school zone-speed limit sign that the city had erected on Southeast Second Street.
“Spoke to city manager and agreed that the sign is out of place and does not belong at this location,” he wrote. “The city removed the sign. No further issues.”
High grass and junk cars
On April 9, Ann Biddix complained about an unmowed lawn at 502 S.W. 13th Street. Williams said he inspected the property and took photos.
“Needs mowing in some areas,” he wrote, “but was not in extreme violation. Since repeat (issue), mailed letter to property owner (lives out of town).”
On April 10, Williams received a written complaint about junk vehicles at Apartment 176 on Southwest Ninth Street.
“Inspected property and did find at least one vehicle in violation,” he wrote. “Photo taken. Mailed letter to property and mailed letter to housing authority.”
No occupational license
On April 4, Williams received a complaint from City Hall about a food truck selling shaved ice on county property near Jackson’s Building Supply.
Williams added that after he hand-delivered a violation letter and explained the need for a city occupational license, the business owner obtained the license, and the issue was resolved.
The officer added that the same sequence of events happened when he received an April 4 complaint about Florida Boy Honey Co. selling honey between Skip’s Deli and Jackson’s Building Supply without an occupational license. Williams said the business owner subsequently obtained the permit and moved the enterprise east of the courthouse.
