Fire Inspector Cleletus Squires presented evidence detailing the extent of the fire safety violations, which included non-functional fire alarms and sprinklers across 78 buildings, as well as improperly managed fire hydrants. The evidence, supplemented by photographs, painted a concerning picture of the fire safety conditions at the complex. Squires emphasized the potential risks to residents and emergency responders, stating that the current state of fire safety systems posed a life-threatening hazard.

Management on Aruba Avenue acknowledged the inherited issues and detailed efforts to rectify them, including signing a new contract with a fire protection company and distributing updated fire extinguishers. However, board members expressed frustration over the delayed progress and the absence of tangible improvements since the management transition. Concerns about the timeline for repairs were met with assurances that efforts were underway, although full compliance could take up to 120 days.

Discussions revealed that the contractor encountered challenges with previous vendors, impacting the resolution of outstanding deficiencies. Despite these setbacks, the contractor conveyed a commitment to resolving the safety concerns, noting the significant investment required. However, the board emphasized that the severity of the violations necessitated immediate action and a structured timeline for compliance.

In another significant case, the board addressed violations on Liberty Avenue, where unpermitted renovations had transformed the property from a single-family home into a multifamily dwelling, contrary to zoning regulations. The property had undergone extensive alterations without the necessary permits, including changes to its layout and the enclosure of a carport. Compliance Officer Danielle Bat presented documents and evidence indicating that the property must be restored to its original 2007 site plan. The board discussed the complexities involved in reverting the property to compliance, given the financial burden on the current owner.

Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the unauthorized changes, citing an increase in occupancy and traffic as detrimental to the neighborhood’s single-family character. The board deliberated on the need for an engineer’s inspection to document the unpermitted work and outlined a compliance deadline of January 14, 2026, with a daily fine of $50 for continued violations.

The meeting further covered other code enforcement matters, including a stormwater management issue at Terrace Oaks, where the board extended the compliance deadline to December 10, 2025, due to complications in the permitting process. Additionally, a tree removal violation on Ridgedale Road led to a motion imposing a fine of $4,200 and requiring the planting of replacement trees by the same deadline.