ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Merchandise is still piled up at a store billed as the “Walmart of Hiawassee,” and some neighbors are not happy.
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People who live near the home on Hiawassee Road in Orange County say the homeowner runs a flea market in the neighborhood.
Outside his home, he has a plethora of patio sets, grills and other equipment spread across the property.
As we first reported in February, a home on Hiawassee Road is facing fines of $1,000 per day for two outstanding code violations.
Then in June, a judge ruled that Orange County could seize the property due to unpaid liens and penalties.
At the time of the hearing, the fine for the violations was more than $200,000, but the county says that figure is now more than $576,000.
But Orange County now says it has run into a roadblock.
The foreclosure is the final step in the compliance process, according to the county.
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But their next steps are limited because a separate foreclosure lawsuit is pending with the home's mortgage lender.
In a letter to residents, Orange County said “the property is currently in the process of being foreclosed on by the mortgagee, and the county's initiation of foreclosure proceedings would have limited effect,” said Jason Reynolds, manager of Orange County's Neighborhood Services Division.
Channel 9 asked the county to elaborate on why the pending litigation is restricting them, but the county said they don't have answers to our questions at this time.
Meanwhile, with more than 65 complaints filed against the property and little progress made over the years, some neighbors told Channel 9 they were reaching the end of their patience.
They're calling on the county to do more.
“He's been there so long that it makes us feel like it's not important. If this was any other neighborhood, like Dr. Phillips or something, I think we would have acted sooner,” said Roselyn Clouden with the Hiawatha Highlands Neighborhood Association.
Clouden said she has been fighting for the past five years to get something done about the land.
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Meanwhile, property owner Bobby Burgett maintains his home complies with all county regulations.
He appealed the restraining order issued by a judge in June.
Burgett told Channel 9 he complied with Code Enforcement's requests, including obtaining business tax receipts for his home-based business.
Burgett also told Channel 9 on Wednesday that he's not running a “flea market.”
He said the equipment outside his home had no price tags on it, he had no set opening hours and he didn't advertise his business.
Burgett also said the house has been in his family since 1958 and he has no intention of giving it to anyone else.
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