Martin County Council Addresses Multiple Property Code Violations
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Meeting Type:
County Council
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Meeting Date:
07/17/2024
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Recording Published:
07/17/2024
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Duration:
92 Minutes
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State:
Florida
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County:
Martin County
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Towns:
Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Jupiter Island, North River Shores, Ocean Breeze, Palm City, Port Salerno, Rio, Sewalls Point, Stuart
- Meeting Overview:
The Martin County Council recently tackled a series of property code violations. Various cases involved unpermitted land alterations, unresolved trash and debris issues, and expired permits for construction and renovations. The council enforced compliance deadlines and imposed fines to ensure adherence to the Martin County Code.
KSA Equities Holdings Inc. found itself at the forefront of the council’s agenda due to unpermitted land clearing activities. The senior site compliance officer’s testimony, supported by aerial and ground photographs, demonstrated significant alterations to the property’s understory habitat. An administrative error led to the ownership change from KSA Equity Holdings LLC to KSA Equity Holdings Incorporated, which was noted during the presentation. A stipulation agreement was reached, which required the property owner to comply with county codes by a set date or face a fine. The magistrate accepted the stipulation and the final order was agreed upon.
In another significant case, property owner Stephen Andrew Pner was embroiled in a debate with the council over violations at his property on Northeast 16th Terrace. Despite the issuance of a notice of violation for tents and trash on the premises, follow-up inspections showed no resolution. Pner raised concerns about address discrepancies on the deed, his mailbox situation, and homestead status, which contributed to the ongoing lack of compliance. The council requested Pner to adhere to the code by a specific date, with fines and the reimbursement of investigation costs pending.
A similar situation arose with another property owner who faced confusion about zoning regulations and potential violations due to the presence of tents and storage on their property. The council determined that a violation existed due to trash and debris and ordered clean-up efforts. The owner disputed the council’s ruling and showed an eagerness to build on the property, leading the council to advise collaboration with the code enforcement department to rectify the situation.
In one instance, a property owner had to address an expired permit for a storage loft, while another faced issues due to an expired fence permit and the unpermitted installation of a new slab. These property owners were compelled to comply by certain dates and were subject to fines for non-compliance. Additionally, a non-operational landscaping trailer and a property with a broken AC unit and exterior damage were discussed, with the latter’s tenant confirming repairs to the AC unit but leaving exterior issues unresolved.
Properties with garbage, trash, debris, and weed overgrowth were also topics of concern. Despite notices of violation and hearings, some property owners had not corrected the flagged issues, leading the council to order compliance and impose fines if the issues were not addressed by the specified deadlines.
Moreover, individual cases involving respondents such as Mr. Anthony W. McBride, the Roseanne Barbuto Revocable Trust, the Maria Soko Revocable Trust, and the Steven Seel Trust were discussed. Each entered into stipulated agreements to comply with the county code by determined dates and agreed to pay administrative costs. The council reviewed the evidence and accepted the stipulations in these cases.
Don Donaldson
County Council Officials:
Doug Smith, Stacey Hetherington, Harold Jenkins, Sarah Heard, Edward V. Ciampi, Don Donaldson (County Administrator)
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Meeting Type:
County Council
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Meeting Date:
07/17/2024
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Recording Published:
07/17/2024
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Duration:
92 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Florida
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County:
Martin County
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Towns:
Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Jupiter Island, North River Shores, Ocean Breeze, Palm City, Port Salerno, Rio, Sewalls Point, Stuart
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