A significant portion of the meeting centered around the zoning and land use violations of the property on Franklin Street, owned by David Vasquez and his LLC, Great King. The property, originally zoned for single-family use, had been transformed into multiple rental units without appropriate permits, leading to a series of compliance hearings. Code Enforcement Officer Shakira Moyer detailed ongoing unauthorized construction and modifications, including a new roof and the conversion of a shed into a dwelling, all of which violated local zoning laws.

Vasquez presented his case, explaining that he and his wife had purchased the property in 2020, initially intending to rehabilitate it. He cited historical use as a boarding house, claiming ignorance of the city’s zoning regulations and the necessity of permits. Despite multiple notices and hearings, compliance was not met, prompting the magistrate to clarify the legal limitations imposed by the R1 zoning designation, which permits only one dwelling unit per property.

The property owner expressed frustration, noting miscommunications and difficulties in navigating the permitting process. He highlighted efforts to rehabilitate existing units without awareness of the required permits and inspections. Despite Vasquez’s explanation of the property’s past use and his intentions, the magistrate emphasized the need for strict adherence to current zoning laws and set a deadline for compliance by December 30, 2024. Failure to meet this deadline would result in fines of $150 per day.

Additionally, the magistrate turned attention to an administrative case involving a noise complaint against Dominic Ultman, a resident on Red Ash Circle. Ultman was cited three times for excessive noise caused by his two large dogs barking while crated on his back porch. Despite the citations, Ultman failed to pay the fines or appear at previous hearings. The magistrate imposed fines totaling $500, highlighting the need for Ultman to address the ongoing issue.