HOLMES BEACH – Special Magistrate Michael Connolly was not in a forgiving mood when faced with three repeat code violation cases during a recent hearing.
The Nov. 28 hearing kicked off with two cases of property neglect where the owner, John Booth, neglected to maintain the landscaping on both parcels after previously receiving a warning from Connolly. Booth argued that both properties, one at 6210 Marina Way and another at 203 Haverkos Court, should have been on the same landscaping schedule as his other two Holmes Beach properties. He said he was meeting with a landscaper later in the day to inspect both properties.
In both cases, Connolly ruled in favor of the city, awarding $50 per day in fines from Nov. 1 until the properties are brought into compliance and $127.24 in hearing fees for each case.
The third case Connolly ruled on involved a broken seawall cap at 506 83rd St. Speaking on behalf of the city, Building Official Neal Schwartz said that the previous code compliance ruling ordering the repair of the fractured seawall had partially been complied with by property owners Jane and Walter Depew as a permit for the repairs had been pulled and some repairs had taken place. However, Schwartz noted that the owners had not complied with the terms of the permit to have inspections done and the repairs that were done did not meet city codes.
The Depews were not present during the hearing.
Connolly ruled in favor of the city, awarding fines of $250 per day from Sept. 25 and $127.24 in hearing fees.
The next special magistrate hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.
