Magistrate orders Dollar General property trimmed to clear sign, right‑of‑way and handicap ramp

The special magistrate entered an order requiring Charlie Building USA LLC (Dollar General property at 201 North H Street) to trim trees and vegetation that obscure the main site sign, encroach on the right‑of‑way near Main and 7th, and obstruct a handicap ramp, citing Palatka City Code §30‑32A for excessive and unattended growth.

Christie Love, code compliance coordinator, testified that photographs taken Jan. 26 and April 13, 2026, show a tree hiding the main directory sign (the coordinator said the sign must be visible on both sides), overgrowth into the right‑of‑way at the intersection that should be trimmed back to the curb, and vegetation encroaching onto a handicap ramp that must be cleared to restore full width access.

No owner representative appeared at the hearing. Love said the store’s general manager had been contacted but the property owner (Charlie Building USA LLC) did not attend. The magistrate found due process satisfied based on mailed notice and posting and ordered the property owner to bring the property into compliance by end of business May 21, 2026; a $25/day fine would commence May 22 if the work is not completed.

Love told the magistrate the trees need trimming rather than removal: make the sign visible (approximately 8 ft clearance), trim the tree over the right‑of‑way to the curb to restore sight lines at the corner, and clear vegetation so the entire width of the handicap ramp is usable. The order requires the owner to take those steps and to coordinate with code compliance to document completion.