Pensacola City Council voted 4–1 on Oct. 9 to suspend enforcement of a code-enforcement lien on 211 West Cervantes Street for up to 24 months and to authorize the mayor to execute documents to release the lien upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy if the work is completed within that period. The motion was moved and seconded during the regular agenda and passed after public testimony and council discussion.

The request was presented by Annette Chandler of Chandler and Company Construction and Chandler Property Management. Chandler told the council she had negotiated with the lender to acquire the property, would fully restore the structure and convert it into six two-bedroom, two-bath “attainable housing” units for the North Hill district. She described the property as a 7,400-square-foot building on the south side of Cervantes between Spring Street and Barcelona; she said the lender’s takeover and prior bad actors had left the structure destabilized.

City staff and the mayor framed the vote as a pilot for a draft lien-relief policy that would offer suspended enforcement based on demonstrable public benefit — for example, historic restoration, removal of blight and creation of housing — rather than blanket waivers to speculators. The draft policy attached to the staff packet was presented as nonbinding and described as a test case for council feedback.

Council discussion:
• Supporters said the project would remove blight, restore a historic structure and return the property to a higher tax roll. Chandler said the property’s current taxes were between $1,900 and $2,100 annually and that the restored building would be fully functional on the tax rolls and expected to generate higher annual taxes; she estimated the taxes paid to the city would repay the city’s deferred amounts within about two years.
• Dissenting council member (identified in the meeting as Councilmember Bader/Baer) said he opposed waiving or suspending fees for a property owner who had existing liens and other properties, and emphasized support for enforcement personnel and the integrity of the code-enforcement process.

Motion details and outcome (as recorded in the meeting record):
• Motion: Suspend enforcement of the code-enforcement lien at 211 West Cervantes Street for up to 24 months and release the lien upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy if issued within that time; authorize the mayor to execute related documents consistent with executive powers in the city charter.
• Mover: Councilmember Wiggins (motion stated at the council table).
• Second: Councilmember Breyer.
• Vote: Motion passes 4 to 1. (No roll-call list of yes votes was read aloud; a single no vote was recorded by the dais.)

Why it matters: The council’s decision reflects a policy choice to weigh enforcement against outcomes that return blighted structures to productive use, particularly in historic districts where restoration can both preserve character and add rental supply. The council asked staff to refine a formal policy so future applications can be judged consistently and to guard against repeat use by investors who buy distressed properties and then seek financial relief without delivering public benefit.

Clarifying details from the record:
• Property: 211 West Cervantes Street, property account 13121009000; described by the applicant as 7,400 sq. ft.
• Project: Planned conversion into six two-bedroom, two-bath attainable housing units; applicant estimated restored property would return to tax rolls and repay the deferred amounts within 24 months.
• Financial mechanics: The action approved a suspension (not an outright waiver) of enforcement for up to 24 months; release of liens would occur only on issuance of a certificate of occupancy within the suspended period.
• Policy guidance: Staff and the mayor presented a draft lien-relief policy as a test and asked council to provide feedback; draft included limits intended to discourage “house-flippers” from gaming relief for speculative profit.

Speakers quoted:
• Annette Chandler, applicant and owner, Chandler and Company Construction: “So once the house was taken back, I worked out a deal with the lender to purchase the property, completely restore it, and turn it into 6 two-bedroom, 2 bath attainable housing units for the North Hill District.”
• Councilmember (opposing vote) Bader/Baer: “We’ve got a hard-working group of code enforcement officers… If we’re going to send code enforcement out there to do their job, then we need to stand behind them.”

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the recorded action, document the lien suspension, and return to council with a refined formal policy for lien relief to address issues raised during tonight’s discussion.