The city of Tallahassee, Florida held an emergency news conference on Monday after a real estate contract claimed only Caucasians could use the property. The contract read, "no person of other than the Caucasian race shall own, use or occupy any property in said subdivision except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race or nationality employed by an owner or tenant" 

Annabelle Dias, a criminal defense attorney, posted the contract on Facebook after her discovery of the racist language. “I’m not just buying a house, I’m buying a neighborhood,” Dias said. “What I would like to see done is for that document to no longer exist. It should not be passed on to prospective buyers.”

According to the President of the Betton Hills Neighborhood Association, Mike Brezin, the language dates back to 1939 and despite an agreement, the language is "offensive" and "unenforceable," he says there is no path forward with regards to removing it.

“The restriction regarding race in the chain of title on the Betton Hills property is illegal,” said City Attorney Cassandra Jackson in an email statement to the Tallahassee Democrat. “The fact the restriction may continue within the chain of title is not within the city’s ability to remove.”

The Tallahassee Democrat also reports the Neighborhood Association has had multiple conversations with Dias and her attorney, Jami Coleman, about the concerns. Brezin has come forward in agreement the concerns should be taken seriously but hopes to find a way forward.

"We would like to convey a friendly open neighborhood to anyone who wants to move to Betton Hills,” Brezin said. “We understand people have different sensibilities in terms of race in Tallahassee. We want to be as responsive as possible to make people feel wanted and welcome.”