City of Sarasota cracks down on housing code violations

In a recent city meeting, officials addressed multiple ongoing cases concerning code violations in Sarasota, focusing on issues related to property maintenance and compliance with city regulations.

One significant case involved J. and J. Holmes Group, LLC, where the accumulation of junk, rubbish, and overgrowth was cited under city code section 1711 D. The case was continued to September 26 to allow the respondent, Terry Rhodes, to provide updates on the status of a foreclosure that has been in progress. Rhodes indicated that while there were delays due to a partner falling out, efforts to secure the property and address the violations were ongoing.

Another case discussed was against Sam Gallia, who was not present at the meeting. The city reported multiple housing code violations, including disrepair of the roof and unsafe conditions of the property. The city requested confirmation of prior orders, with the possibility of resetting the case at the request of either party.

Katie Morris faced two violations, one for installing a fence without a permit and another for the accumulation of junk. The latter violation was resolved, and the case was continued to September 19 to allow for the issuance of the necessary permit for the fence.

Kenneth Erados was also brought before the board for violations related to the condition of his property, specifically concerning ceiling defects and a disrepair roof. The city acknowledged some progress but noted that further work was needed to achieve compliance.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to enforce property maintenance standards and ensure compliance with local codes, with several cases being continued to allow property owners time to rectify their violations.