[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6318453,"mediaKeyId","2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d","parentId",2365885,"title","Special master finds Novich guilty of junk accumulation, defers right-of-way encroachment ruling","audioSeconds",5319,"startMs",931000,"endMs",6250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d&start=931&end=6250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d/thumbnail_931000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318453/Citrus-County/Florida/Special-master-finds-Novich-guilty-of-junk-accumulation-defers-right-of-way-encroachment-ruling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318453-e3f5f2a23ee4c82830d4ae59d048ec96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442769&Signature=oWvd06z3ibbDDkPhw1HzRO7VXiCEDQDBbbPaVLBe321pGX607QAJXF0R72bA4-Y0OLr~OKRGX7aadrFP039i-npgTEGP~65F7GL5AsFzCwzGs~RMahM0WcHZUJjJa5~rUNhgzMbRvyS0WOAPSeHg5BRZlW3CajA~HC7QAsvZeqyNOs80WKH7rZLyGnDAioUyEx5gdwhdChNg7eVTHjXkaV-P~mUc6gP9vcTAsw6BJ5xoY69AwLcW4Ry1gqMxB-oe2iGnaA~xU5HfOfvE6x158Hk1kL0DqghZcShSJWBfmFYBs5B4VVvahcc0bE29CvnTkHP4-FSerMNscMhBv8WmoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Citrus County, FL","date","2025-02-20T05:54:30Z","article","Special Master Christian Waugh found Michael R. Novich in violation of the county accumulation-of-junk ordinance and ordered him to clean the property within 30 days or face a $100-per-day fine.

Waugh said his ruling applies to the accumulation-of-junk case (listed in the hearing as case number 20Four-two117, a violation of Chapter 20, Article 3, Section 20-31A of the Citrus County Code of Ordinances). He declined to decide at the hearing whether Novich had illegally encroached in the public right of way, saying the right-of-way allegation required additional legal research and factual review and that he would issue a written order at the April hearing.

Waugh opened the Feb. 2025 code compliance hearing by taking evidence offered by county staff and admitting three exhibits (photos and notices). Julie Wilkinson, Citrus County code compliance officer, testified that inspections from December 2024 through mid-February 2025 documented piles of mulch, tree debris, loose trash, a discarded fish tank and “miscellaneous junk and debris” at 66 South Columbus Street in Beverly Hills. Wilkinson said she first warned Novich after inspecting a neighbor’s right-of-way complaint on Dec. 10 and later posted notices and took repeat photographs when corrective inspections showed ongoing problems.

Novich acknowledged some of the photographs as truthful and described efforts he said he had made to remove items, saying the fish tank had been removed and that he had moved logs when Wilkinson pointed them out. He told the special master he maintains a small home-based plant nursery and that many plastic pots and planting supplies had accumulated while he worked to comply.

County public-works witnesses described the right-of-way allegations. Technical-services staff said the neighborhood’s right of way extends roughly 25 feet from the road centerline and said the county’s ordinances prohibit encroachment there without a public-works permit. The county contended that Novich’s mulch piles and landscaping material had been placed in the right of way in a way that could destabilize the swale and obstruct stormwater flow.

But Waugh said the right-of-way question raised novel legal and factual issues about when landscaping or plantings cross the line from permissible activity (for example, seed, fertilizer or ground cover) to a prohibited encroachment (for example, structures, permanent improvements or added fill that obstructs drainage). “This is a matter of first impression for me,” he said, and he told the parties he would review the land-development code, Florida law and dictionary definitions before issuing a written opinion at the April hearing.

On the accumulation-of-junk count, Waugh found the county had proved a violation and imposed a compliance timeline. “I am going to find that there’s a violation in case number 20Four-two117 regarding code section twenty-31A,” he said, then set 30 days to abate and asked the county to recommend a daily fine; the county recommended $100 per day and Waugh accepted that figure for noncompliance after the 30-day period.

Waugh also admitted into evidence a screenshot of social-media posts relating to the code-enforcement officer solely for the limited purpose of assessing gravity and potential fine mitigation; he ruled that the content of that exhibit could bear on damages or fine amount if a violation were found, not on whether a violation occurred.

Neighbor Sharon McInnis and biologist Paige Martin spoke during public comment: McInnis described repeated confrontations and safety worries at the property; Martin urged a path to compliance that preserves native ground cover where possible.

Waugh closed by directing the county to prepare the written order on the junk violation and said he would research and issue a separate written opinion on the right-of-way encroachment at the April hearing.

Ending — Where this goes next
Waugh gave Novich 30 days to bring the property into compliance on the accumulation-of-junk violation and warned of a $100-per-day fine thereafter. He postponed a final determination on the right-of-way allegation and will issue a written opinion at the April hearing explaining whether, in his view, the county’s right-of-way ordinance reaches landscaping changes such as mulch and raised planting beds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Code Compliance Special Master Hearing - February 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Special Master Christian Waugh found Michael R. Novich in violation of Citrus County’s accumulation-of-junk ordinance and ordered him to clean the property within 30 days or face a $100-per-day fine.","taxTitle","Citrus County, Florida","taxId",12756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318443,"Code compliance rulings: roundup of Feb. 17 hearing findings and deadlines",4538,6219000,10757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d&start=6219&end=10757","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d/thumbnail_6219000.jpg","/articles/6318443/Citrus-County/Florida/Code-compliance-rulings-roundup-of-Feb-17-hearing-findings-and-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318443-340b2250eea687e759f6b59e1e691779/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442769&Signature=Blb~mA70aRhcCwUVAgPLUDNcfo0MLgpQI0zgySOnis~PV6KonXfa2B85UqE51Su8aizcQbgoWVjqprqmbZ3grsTFWHkElnjYN5OL1aLl99qn8-d5wh5w5vHGFhJVrpCr2r7hR07d-HfV9QDMeAERyB46stZX0qVyG-1n-lrH8GLLP91kfQ-AoTnTjHzddRHNG7gMZeSnU~vhpJAE308YSNqE1B8aQYgN9m0BUEZ1r8cDIOOJ4AmTeGJLBHsqN9Lk0ItYZ214rQPWPtK86K7OEOmAMhC6GZ5Rfu1mfQcuXSR2qy9UZuYRBk8pAz4Pn4Lgm5Om9L7h1aPJ6zcih134VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Special Master Christian Waugh issued rulings across a lineup of code-enforcement cases at the Feb. 17, 2025 Citrus County hearing. Below is a concise listing of cases for which the record shows formal findings, compliance timelines and daily fines or procedural outcomes.

Summary of decisions (case number → subject → outcome / compliance deadline → daily fine if not abated):

- Michael R. Novich — accumulation of junk and debris (case listed as 20Four-two117) — Violation found; 30 days to abate; $100/day after deadline. (Separate right-of-way allegation, case 20Four-two133, postponed for written order in April.)

- Tubbs Ranch & Grove LLC (case 2020Four-six20) — fine appeal on multiple structural items; special master eliminated fines accrued Dec. 23, 2024–hearing date and reduced the daily fine going forward (county had sought $500/day; special master halved the practical rate). Owners must pursue outstanding permits; county to reinspect.

- Mildred Gore (cases listed on agenda) — Found violations in three cases (overgrown vegetation; accumulation of junk and debris; temporary occupancy of an RV). Orders: overgrown grass and junk cases — 90 days to abate; $100/day thereafter. Temporary RV occupancy — 7 days to abate; $100/day thereafter.

- Equity Trust Company (case 20242166) — Tree/vegetative debris on 4.84-acre property: 4 months to abate; $100/day after deadline.

- Soldier Boy Properties (case 202402156) — Violation conceded; 30 days to abate; $100/day after deadline.

- Ralph W. Smith (three related cases) — Repeat and accessory-use matters: granted 60 days to abate; $50/day per violation after deadline.

- William B. Portwood (two cases) — Agreed violations; 7 days to abate; $50/day per violation after deadline.

- K. M. Martin (two repeat cases) — Repeat violations found: for the overgrown/vegetation case special master set repeat fine at $50/day and $200/day going forward; for the junk/repeat case he maintained county position: 27 days at $100/day (repeat window) then $200/day going forward.

- Ashley Herron (case 2024-1884) — Temporary occupancy / related violation: 60 days to abate; $100/day if not abated.

- David S. and Janice L. Jorstad (case 2024-2141?) — Owner presented cleanup; special master granted 14 days to confirm abatement; $100/day if not complete.

- David Ferrer (case 20242081) — Owner presented post-inspection photos; special master concluded the earlier observed junk condition had been cleaned as of the most recent inspection and did not assess further sanctions for that specific matter.

- William Patrick McKeown (case 20242159) — Special requirements for accessory structures on small lot: 30 days to abate; $150/day after deadline.

- Joseph R. Kujic Jr. (case 202402590) — Use-standard/storage violations on a 0.54-acre parcel: 30 days to abate; $200/day after deadline.

- Michael E. Neal (case 2402188) — Accumulation case: 14 days to abate; $50/day after deadline.

- John Stasio (case 20242198) — Accumulation of junk and debris: 30 days to abate; $100/day after deadline.

What the entries mean
Each line lists the case as recorded in the hearing, the county code section most commonly invoked (Chapter 20, Article 3, Section 20-31A for junk/accumulation matters) and the special master’s remedial order: a compliance timeline followed by a daily civil penalty if the respondent fails to abate. Several decisions were calibrated for storm recovery or property-specific circumstances; in at least one appeal (Tubbs Ranch) the special master suspended accrued fines and reduced the daily penalty in light of hurricane impacts and partial compliance.

How to follow up
- Owners who received orders were instructed to notify Code Compliance when they consider their property abated so a reinspection can be scheduled. County staff told the special master they will perform reinspections after the compliance deadlines.
- For one matter of legal interpretation (Novich right-of-way encroachment), the special master deferred a written opinion until the April hearing; that opinion could affect the county’s enforcement approach to landscaping and mulch in the right of way.

Ending — Practical note
Citizens and property owners should treat each deadline in the special master’s orders as enforceable: failure to abate by the date announced will generally trigger the posted daily fines. The special master noted that appeals of his orders may be filed to the circuit court within the statutory period if owners wish to challenge the findings.","Special Master Christian Waugh issued multiple compliance findings, deadlines and fines across dozens of cases at the Feb. 17 Citrus County code hearing. This roundup lists each case with the special master's action, the compliance deadline and the daily fine if the owner fails to abate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318448,"Special master cuts Tubbs Ranch fine, suspends penalty window for storm-related delays",1144,6708000,7852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d&start=6708&end=7852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2365885-fdbf9bd2db82923942862fd4c305432d/thumbnail_6708000.jpg","/articles/6318448/Citrus-County/Florida/Special-master-cuts-Tubbs-Ranch-fine-suspends-penalty-window-for-storm-related-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318448-da0153c8f4c72ba93b4d91275f16f6e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442769&Signature=P9-knbx0drLXzhvAx9-LUi8XzALJYqS9CMrV-wkGoQvUm91l~fW31nkQARNoilVE5IVMukd8O~TfIEq7k6xqnUh4UIp-U-3tltUo-Jl0oH72aB3F7R~oJF-CzdSOixQoUKz413sNqHl1zsgU97yAJxu5ljqn4HsNdV8MqRBw3~FYh-l4mdlPFFozcm8~dumszWMP3WwWZEXtDmguYvDg57oIu6qKgjlpWN4YsjvJ-jnVibSfdLWz28t6r2R0YEB6xQzYOQm-29W8950j5sgU9I996MgvnVzPJeJsko3ZYAFuMUZ9tBpOC8fPxTZAtW98~zkUQkRm7yVGHIuBCLnaug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Special Master Christian Waugh reduced and rescheduled fines against Tubbs Ranch & Grove LLC after owners and counsel said hurricane damage and scheduling delays had stalled compliance.

At the Feb. 17 hearing, a representative for Tubbs Ranch told the special master that after the parties’ earlier agreement the property experienced two hurricanes and other pandemic/post-storm delays that impaired the owners’ ability to complete remaining structural permits and repairs. County staff said three structural items remained out of compliance (a gazebo with a portable solar device, a dock/platform and platforms for glamping tents). The county objected to reversing the final order and treated the proceeding as a fine appeal rather than a request to reopen the prior final order.

Waugh said he lacked authority to extend a prior development order but could exercise discretion on fines in a fine appeal. Citing the storm-related delays and substantial partial compliance, he eliminated fines that had accrued from Dec. 23, 2024, to the date of the hearing and reduced the daily fine going forward to half the previously contemplated amount. He told the parties he expected the owners to continue moving toward full compliance and said the adjustment reflected the unique circumstances, including documented hurricane impacts and disrupted permitting.

The county had proposed a $500-per-day fine; Waugh did not fully accept that amount and reduced the county’s recommended fine by 50 percent after finding the owners had shown substantial progress but remained incomplete on a few structural items.

Waugh asked the parties to continue to work with permitting staff and encouraged the owners to expedite the outstanding permit submissions and engineering work. He also noted the formal appeal window on the final order had passed; his authority in the hearing was limited to adjusting fines and considering the parties’ representations.

Ending — Next steps
Waugh’s order reduced the immediate financial pressure on Tubbs Ranch while requiring continued progress on permits and construction. The county recommended the owners supply permit updates and engineering bids; the special master said he would expect rapid follow-up inspections and that unresolved fines could resume if compliance did not materialize.","After an appeal, the special master reduced fines and suspended accrual for Tubbs Ranch & Grove LLC, citing hurricane impacts and partial compliance; the order removes fines from Dec. 23 through the hearing date and halves the daily fine going forward.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Special master finds Novich guilty of junk accumulation, defers right-of-way encroachment ruling

Code compliance rulings: roundup of Feb. 17 hearing findings and deadlines

Special master cuts Tubbs Ranch fine, suspends penalty window for storm-related delays