Seminole starts tearing down ‘nightmare’ home near Sanford

A bulldozer, large excavator and a dump truck rolled into a quiet Seminole County neighborhood this week and began demolishing a dilapidated house that neighbors called “an absolute nightmare.”

“I’m glad to see that the county finally did what they needed to do and take care of this nuisance,” said Josue Martinez, a next-door neighbor who joined others in complaining to county officials for years about the residence on South Crystal View near Sanford.

“I hate to see someone having their house knocked down,” he said. “It was never my goal. My goal was to amend and fix the situation, but unfortunately the current owners were never able to do that or were not in a position to do that.”

It is almost unheard of for Seminole County to destroy a home, but the situation was extraordinary. For years, the uninhabited single-story, four-bedroom house has had blue tarps on the roof, boarded windows and a pool filled with a greenish goo of mostly algae. The water and electricity were shut off long ago.

Over the years, neighbors have complained repeatedly to the county about vandalism, squatters, and loud parties. Sheriff’s deputies have been regularly called for suspicious activity at the property.

The property also racked up more than $221,000 in county liens. That includes $218,600 for the trash and debris scattered around the yard, and $2,351 for not enclosing the pool with security fencing.

Homeowner Mary Ellen Baker failed to meet the county’s 30-day deadline, set earlier this year, either to fix or raze her childhood home. So Seminole hired a demolition company in June. The septic tank was removed, but then the work was halted because asbestos — a known carcinogen — was discovered in the ductwork for the heating and air conditioning system.

County officials said the asbestos and other materials have now been removed according to state guidelines and do not pose a health risk to nearby residents.

According to county records, the late Bill and Mary Baker bought the property and built the home in 1965. Bill Baker owned car dealerships in Volusia and Seminole counties. After the couple passed, daughter Mary Ellen Baker took ownership in 2014.

The property, however, was not homesteaded, allowing Seminole to order the demolition because of code enforcement liens.

Still, an angry Mary Ellen Baker has threatened to sue Seminole.

“Their own inspector in the [April county commission] hearing said 30 days was not enough time,” she said in a text message last month to the Sentinel. “I was trying to sell it and even had a buyer under contract…But I look forward to seeing the board in civil court.”

The demolition and removal of the debris began Monday and should be completed this week, county officials said. It is estimated to cost about $39,500, and the bill will be added to the property’s current liens.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com