JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After multiple code citations were issued to the property owned of a Mandarin business after it put up cement barriers blocking off the front entrance to the park lot last week, the barriers were removed Thursday morning, News4Jax has learned.
Ryan Hoback, the owner of Hoby's Honey & General Store, told News4Jax that Triforce Development took over ownership of the property last week and then put up cement barriers to block off the front entrances to the parking lot.
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The Municipal Code Compliance Division issued two paying citations for $55 each to TriForce Development for the placement of illegal signs on the right of way.
Warning citations were also issued to TriForce Development for failure to provide adequate parking spaces and for failure to maintain the parking area because of potholes in the lot, according to the city.
The barriers were removed before Hoback arrived at work Thursday, he said.
Code enforcement will return in 30 days for another inspection.
About 11 a.m. Friday, Hoback said, the property owner had cement barriers brought in to close off the front entrances to the parking lot on San Jose Boulevard.
Before then, Hoback said the new owner offered to buy him out of his lease. He countered the initial offer.
TriForce Development cited "safety" as its reason for putting up the barriers, according to Hoback.
Hoback confirmed to News4Jax that he filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the building owner, over the barriers. He released the following statement to News4Jax Wednesday, after the citations were issued:
"We look forward to this situation coming to a positive end and are humbled by the great community support given to Hoby's Honey & General and all of our great local vendors who sell through our store. America rocks!"
A TriForce spokesperson released the following statement Monday:
“Our paramount concern is the safety of the shoppers and families in our community. Relocation of the access serves as a precautionary measure as we study whether the close proximity of the parking spaces to San Jose Boulevard poses a safety hazard. Tomorrow, we will install signs at each entry way directing shoppers to the new entrance.”