If any owner, agent or mortgagee of improved private property within a designated conservation area, after notice by the Authority to comply and opportunity to be heard, fails to make such property conform to minimum standards as set forth in the governing ordinances of the municipality or county, the Authority may apply to the Circuit Court of the county in which the property is located for an order permitting the Authority to make such improved property conform to such minimum standards and to charge and collect from the owners of and persons interested in such property the reasonable cost and expense of making such repairs or improvements as are necessary to bring the property up to the minimum standards of such ordinances. This cost and expense is a lien upon the real estate affected, subordinate to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, provided that within 60 days after the cost and expense is incurred the Authority or person performing the service by authority of the Authority, in his or its own name files notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the Registrar of Titles of such county if the real estate affected is registered under “An Act concerning land titles”, approved May 1, 1897, as amended. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof; (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the services; (3) the date or dates when said cost and expense was incurred by the Authority. However, the lien of the Authority shall not be valid as to any purchaser, mortgagee, judgment creditor or other lienor whose rights in and to the real estate have arisen subsequent to such repair or improvements and prior to the filing of the notice of the lien in the office of the recorder, or in the office of the Registrar of Titles, as aforesaid. Upon payment of said cost and expense by the owner of or person interested in said property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the Authority or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in case of mortgages or mechanics liens. An action to foreclose this lien shall be commenced within 3 years after the date of filing notice of lien.