One notable issue discussed was the stagnant water violation at a property owned by the Lai Foundation LLC, located on Blue Lake Drive, Longwood. This case, designated as 2520 CESM, dealt with the presence of stagnant water in the property’s pool, raising health and safety concerns under Seminole County Code Chapter 95, Section 95.4. The initial inspection took place on August 16, 2024, and subsequent inspections confirmed that the stagnant water issue persisted despite efforts by the county to secure the property with a chain-link fence. The code enforcement officer presented photographic evidence illustrating the continuing problem, and the special magistrate mandated that the violation be corrected by April 25, 2025, with a fine of $250 per day for non-compliance.

Complicating the stagnant water case was the property’s potential involvement in bankruptcy and foreclosure actions. The magistrate noted the absence of the property owner or their representative, raising concerns about their engagement with the compliance process. The decision on whether to impose a lien on the property was reserved pending further investigation into the legal status of the property.

Adding to the compliance challenges on Blue Lake Drive, additional violations were cited, including a dilapidated fence and overgrown vegetation. The code enforcement officer, Cameron Dar, provided evidence of the fence’s deteriorated state from inspections dating back to August 2024. The magistrate set a compliance deadline of April 25, 2025, for these violations as well, imposing fines for continued non-compliance. The grass on the property was reported to exceed eight inches, violating the municipal code and further exacerbating the property’s compliance issues.

The meeting also addressed the case of Jeffrey Failen, who faced penalties for three unpermitted sheds at his property on Gary Boulevard, Longwood. The sheds were found to violate Seminole County Code Chapter 40, Appendix A, Section 105.1. The initial inspection occurred on December 7, 2023, and Failen, who acquired the property in November 2022, claimed ignorance of the need for permits for the pre-existing structures. Failen explained that he discovered the violation upon applying for a fence permit and faced financial challenges in securing the necessary engineer drawings for compliance.

After hearing Failen’s explanation, the magistrate extended the compliance deadline to October 8, 2025, with a compliance hearing scheduled for October 9, 2025. A daily fine of $100 was set to be imposed if the violation was not corrected by the deadline. The magistrate emphasized the importance of securing the necessary permits, even with an existing variance allowing the structures to remain, and encouraged Failen to prioritize compliance over deadlines.

Another notable case was 2519 CESM, involving Stacy and Anthony Lacassio, who constructed a concrete block wall on Stevenage Drive, Longwood, without a required permit. Ruth Goldstein from the Building Division presented evidence of the violation, dating back to the initial inspection on March 25, 2024. The magistrate ordered the Lacassios to remedy the violation by May 8, 2025, with a $50 daily fine for non-compliance. Anthony Lacassio disputed the need for a permit, arguing the wall was decorative and did not alter the property’s structural integrity. However, the county inspector maintained that the wall required a permit under local codes. Lacassio expressed his intent to comply by filing for the required permit.

Several cases involved requests for continuances to allow respondents time to obtain necessary permits and correct violations. One such request came from a respondent associated with Marabel and Elsa Marcato Musathesis, who was granted a 30-day continuance to address ongoing permit issues. The magistrate set a new compliance hearing for May 8, 2025.