[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6285894,"mediaKeyId","2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1","parentId",2566429,"title","Magistrate Imposes $46,600 in Fines on Long‑running Code Case at 1115 Northwest First Ave","audioSeconds",1728,"startMs",9564000,"endMs",11292000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1&start=9564&end=11292","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1/thumbnail_9564000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285894/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Magistrate-Imposes-46600-in-Fines-on-Longrunning-Code-Case-at-1115-Northwest-First-Ave","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285894-cb524a493022aa3f55d149e0249b8fca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775874214&Signature=fsqj2DxZOIXKpkTFfBrJMsNnOHSmIP9TX9QGij5psOKP1GcH7hV~5sAY7d5Q3on3MQy6hY16xaP1fGkSR7tOBZWySLJIyyQfEybDY5Lqh0iMoqHNfcipE94rppFP8kH33HpHxCIIf9jHX8-QSYkow78BV7D8MGlxxIWn~OBq~xezV6F~lqGaTYHHaIRrA~Tkjsb3KivKvdxNDMiTrYjpF~oEOiRqOVWmQIeuLGkiweGPGgeHdpm3Wsb7eCc7TiYxXhAGAP1KjGTDcN2EkyG~ZNjp4p9Go-K20fKquQyhd3IgO-nbIiLv-8aUASQDZnBjBq-ikR7YZ40FxCKh96i1fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fort Lauderdale, FL","date","2025-03-12T12:59:07.957Z","article","The special magistrate on March 11 ordered payment of $46,600 in accrued fines for code violations at 1115 Northwest First Avenue, concluding that the city’s calculations — which accounted for earlier suspensions and extensions — were correct.

Senior Officer Gail Williams presented the city’s filing, which traced multiple inspections, suspensions and periods of noncompliance dating back to spring 2024. The file showed a mix of property‑maintenance and safety violations; the city sought the full amount of fines it had accumulated while the property remained out of compliance.

Attorney Omar Persaud, representing property owner Thomas A. Smith, described steps taken to address the most significant items (including roof and permit work) and said the owner had attempted to work with inspectors on remediation. Persaud and the owner described tenant‑related complications that slowed some improvements, including repeated re‑occurrence of vehicle storage that undermined landscaping efforts.

City counsel reviewed the case history and confirmed that two previously granted extensions (one in late September/October and another in December) were already reflected in the city’s calculations. After the city confirmed the numbers, the magistrate elected to impose the full $46,600 in fines for the outstanding, accrued amounts. The magistrate noted the owner may apply for amnesty programs available under city procedures, which could reduce the assessed amount if eligibility criteria are met.

The magistrate entered the order imposing the fines and advised the owner’s counsel about amnesty and appeal options available under city rules. The city will record the fine and continue to monitor for compliance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Magistrate Hearing - Code Compliance 03.11.2025","oneSentenceSummary","After accounting for prior suspensions and extensions, the special magistrate imposed the full $46,600 in fines the city requested for chronic code violations at 1115 Northwest First Avenue.","taxTitle","Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida","taxId",4849,"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},6285898,"Magistrate Reduces Requested Vacation‑rental Suspension to 180 Days After Owner Notes Compliance Steps",3110,3150000,6260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1&start=3150&end=6260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1/thumbnail_3150000.jpg","/articles/6285898/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Magistrate-Reduces-Requested-Vacationrental-Suspension-to-180-Days-After-Owner-Notes-Compliance-Steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285898-a1c52f0da96a1bb0888bb5f7ee76d9a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775874214&Signature=fg2sNqkjfEnKXI3y6jM7DRE-jid15uyCNz-d8q5Fcc5OK02XZuhPRj8x0jvNH7cMwkEDOIRCDaylVQrmPzszOoaCRGNPF2VOvCYcIKBxjUfFKa4XPFD~LfTiuilpUmiAepi35L7uhlLfd8flbrCdk8xCUCsVNoDg4jzfAPRti3Unr2NVTFRn1yBL3yN-yg1FEvhxuKn0aQiC3tBLwJeygB8NQd1037zbKs-oyAYHalm3cy2gWpYbYCU-gQOM-1jEGgYt1hq~sFgCCAINVxBS7kFdnSsq4cBMEC~a4fLBX8GOWzQDz3-Q09EV4KG1Uq4jh9VhLh9i8pl3AaFDsdyS8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A special magistrate on March 11 suspended the vacation‑rental certificate for a property at 1440 Northwest 7 Terrace for 180 days after the city demonstrated multiple qualifying code violations and the property’s owner acknowledged previous orders.

Leonard Champagne presented the city’s case, saying the property had a string of violations dating to October 2024 and that the files contained multiple enforcement actions. Champagne said the four qualifying violations required consideration of a suspension under the city ordinance and that the city sought a 365‑day suspension.

Alina Smoller and co‑owner Gian Franco Patron told the magistrate they had complied with prior orders and had obtained a renewed certificate in December. Smoller said the November magistrate hearing had resulted in 15 days to renew and that the earlier magistrate had waived fines; she argued a 365‑day suspension now would be inconsistent with that resolution.

The special magistrate noted the prior magistrate’s waiver of fines and the procedural history and declined to impose the full 365‑day suspension the city requested. Instead, the magistrate ordered a 180‑day suspension of the vacation‑rental certificate. The magistrate said the record included findings of violation but took the earlier waiver into account when choosing a reduced suspension period.

The hearing record shows the city enforces vacation‑rental rules through a progressive suspension schedule tied to the number of qualifying violations; three qualifying violations trigger a shorter suspension, four can trigger a year‑long suspension under the ordinance. The magistrate’s order reduces the maximum requested suspension while imposing a significant enforcement consequence.","A Fort Lauderdale magistrate imposed a 180‑day suspension on a vacation‑rental certificate after finding multiple violations; the city had asked for a 365‑day suspension but the magistrate reduced the penalty citing earlier magistrate leniency.",{"_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},6285902,"Property Owner at 301 SW First Ave Given More Time to Resolve Unpermitted Garage Screening Banner",579,345000,924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1&start=345&end=924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1/thumbnail_345000.jpg","/articles/6285902/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Property-Owner-at-301-SW-First-Ave-Given-More-Time-to-Resolve-Unpermitted-Garage-Screening-Banner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285902-b3edc675fa82423b0a2fb1599f9560b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775874214&Signature=FjO~xOcyt34WfMHPZv7quLtFTfVRt5aI2TGthp9-s86hV90ULR3kXafEc~pxhL2emI6lmtYYuSv2lwLS53da4tjPw6PPFgPEO0iIK4HnP4lvs-v20d8hu4g02a43yg5rhcRPcx4zk6SvOofcKqSeOF0dE8YURxK-9tItAWj0fF1yPYk8JEYgN6MFi5tYmewIg0SI32DFNc5bv639Mjm0Va0ghCof5O-VDZeACbKcrVkWg0AnlVp4gt9UPxsy6khXE0-k66NBcMvQAkRXNL~Dn4Pty~O2Vpb~SQGPYjfPVurgghOfpC7O1Mc4dOMXqYMvtSWCvbukqWlVA4EeZZNxfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A special magistrate on March 11 granted the property owner at 301 Southwest First Avenue an order to reappear on April 8 after the owner said the garage screening — treated by city staff as an unpermitted sign — requires additional design review and a commission call‑up.

Gus Baracus, presenting the case for the City of Fort Lauderdale, told the magistrate the property remained in violation after multiple inspections. Andrew Schein of Locker & Chalkis, representing PMG Greybrook Riverfront 2, LLC, said the garage had been screened with a banner originally approved in 2020 but replaced several years later with a new screening installed without a permit.

Schein said the owner submitted a revised design that removed brand elements and a website, but staff had not approved the updated proposal. He described a two‑step approval path – staff review followed by a possible commission call‑up – and said the owner had met informally with the mayor and scheduled a meeting with the district commissioner and the NSU Art Museum for feedback on March 13 and March 15, respectively.

Schein asked for more time to complete the design and approvals. The city opposed further extensions in a written statement from the city attorney’s office, which said prior hearings made clear the owner needed to submit for a permit and that delays caused by meeting with the mayor did not substitute for the formal review process.

After hearing the parties, the magistrate ordered the property to reappear April 8 and set that date as the next compliance check. The magistrate noted the owner must move the process forward through the official review channels; if the commission approves a design, Schein said the owner would be able to secure planning approval and a permit shortly thereafter.","A Fort Lauderdale special magistrate gave the owner of 301 Southwest First Avenue until April 8 to return with a plan to address an unpermitted banner/screening over a garage; owner said design must clear staff and commission review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285907,"Special Magistrate Imposes $15,000 Fine After Hearing on Repeated Loud-Party Nuisance",3126,1296000,4422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1&start=1296&end=4422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566429-6598bb2523d9224702383bd454f190d1/thumbnail_1296000.jpg","/articles/6285907/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Special-Magistrate-Imposes-15000-Fine-After-Hearing-on-Repeated-Loud-Party-Nuisance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285907-657c69949a7778e66132635f6aecdf6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775874214&Signature=JH5QS2WbeGEQrHNkYG9DX3gafWFt2Gjl8kh1s9cpwmdxctTbVOsA6ES6gIK87Ty7ROEcXsuqj5EMS0413LQ6ECm7eLk-UBG9xe~N5SATwlRdOzKrnZmJ1KvRaEh0d73-7doSEHw5XKbBDW4Ro5OJ~dxrM4m88qnVFMdCQrI43pB27KCKk72a0~fkYISn7w2uNivXSMSB9LQQMvpfd5hN0JYXIBv9Bw7jywvbjiC-dPivCeKphIeEW5YcQMiWGyXHRLS-JTivm1~ITrFXCNUf1S7o4udltFhaz3zKNAnmC40ugPobrVlIhKU3SCiSKX9LixXNs1ZHKYQczsEaHSdaKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Fort Lauderdale special magistrate on March 11 found the owner at 2409 DeSoto Drive guilty of maintaining a public nuisance related to loud parties and imposed a $15,000 fine.

The city presented video, photographs and officer testimony showing amplified music and vehicles blocking the right of way on multiple occasions. Inspector Robert Crock, presenting for the city of Fort Lauderdale, said the property produced loud music and parking problems that required police response and made the music “plainly audible” from far beyond the property line. Crock described repeated inspections and a prior 2022 enforcement action at the address.

The case stretched into a lengthy hearing over whether the city cited the correct code section and whether the technical decibel measurements complied with the noise ordinance. Council attorney (defense counsel) challenged the notice and the city’s measurement method, arguing the city should have relied on Chapter 17’s decibel‑measurement standard rather than invoking the broader nuisance code. Katrina Johnson, co‑compliance manager for the city, and senior assistant city attorney Ronald Montoya Hassan told the magistrate the case was properly before the court as a repeat nuisance and that earlier enforcement and police involvement supported that position.

Defense attorney raised procedural and evidentiary objections, including alleged gaps in complainant identification, the nature and timing of decibel measurements and whether the city had complied with measurement standards. The city responded that the plain‑audibility standard for amplified residential sound (chapter 17, section 17.7) applies at night and that the videos plainly demonstrated the noise; the city also introduced decibel readings taken at the scene to corroborate how loud the event was.

After hearing testimony and viewing evidence, the special magistrate denied the defense motion to dismiss, found an adjudication of guilt and ordered a $15,000 fine. The order was announced in open hearing and the magistrate said the city had met its burden based on the presented evidence and the property’s history of similar events.

The decision documents the city’s use of both its nuisance ordinance and the residential noise provisions when pursuing repeat amplified‑sound violations. The record shows prior enforcement at the address, including an earlier case that resulted in a reduced fine after the owner’s payment in 2022.

The owner may seek transcript copies or pursue administrative remedies consistent with local procedures.","A Fort Lauderdale special magistrate found the owner responsible for a repeated loud-party nuisance at 2409 DeSoto Drive and imposed a $15,000 fine after hearing city evidence and neighbors’ video and police response.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Magistrate Imposes $46,600 in Fines on Long‑running Code Case at 1115 Northwest First Ave

Magistrate Reduces Requested Vacation‑rental Suspension to 180 Days After Owner Notes Compliance Steps

Property Owner at 301 SW First Ave Given More Time to Resolve Unpermitted Garage Screening Banner

Special Magistrate Imposes $15,000 Fine After Hearing on Repeated Loud-Party Nuisance