Pembroke Park special magistrate reduces fines, grants extensions in code-enforcement hearing

The special magistrate for the Town of Pembroke Park on multiple cases ordered abatements and extensions, reducing one business’s six-figure fine to $19,021, granting extensions for permit-related work and assessing administrative costs and daily fines where properties remain out of compliance.

The hearing, conducted by Special Magistrate Andre McKinney, included presentations from Code Compliance Officer Jeffrey Lewis and lawyers and representatives for multiple respondents. McKinney said he found substantial competent evidence to support the town’s violations and then announced individual orders for each property.

The largest result affected Pembroke Road Center LLC (case 5053) at 3932 Pembroke Road. Lewis told the hearing the original per-diem fines accrued to $149,708.50 for an illuminated sign installed without a building permit; a COVID-era hold reduced $4,200 from that total. The town recommended an 85% reduction for businesses; McKinney approved mitigation to $19,021. The order requires payment within 60 days. Attorney Julien June said his client had petitioned for a 90% reduction and indicated acceptance of the 85% mitigation.

A related Pembroke Road Center LLC matter (case 9700, 3936 Pembroke Road) involved interior tenant build-out work done without permits and lack of a business tax receipt/certificate of use. The town recommended a 60-day extension to allow submission of permit applications and inspections; McKinney ordered the respondent to come into compliance within 60 days and noted a $100 administrative cost. Lewis read from an amended final order that sets the daily fine at $2.50 per day should the property remain out of compliance.

In individual residential cases, the magistrate granted varying compliance periods and per-diem fines. Emmanuel Norde (case 10975) at 5030 Southwest 30 Seventh Street was initially offered 60 days and a $50-per-day fine for an unpermitted fence; after Norde described waiting on an HOA approval letter, McKinney extended compliance to 90 days and reiterated the $50-per-day fine and a $100 administrative cost.

At 1950 Southwest Thirtieth Avenue (case 10995), representing Pure Costa Management, the officer said a tenant operated without a business tax receipt and unpermitted electrical and racking work remained to be permitted. The town recommended 60 days to correct with a $2.50-per-day fine; McKinney’s oral order assessed a $100 administrative cost and stated a daily fine would continue to accrue if violations remained. (Transcript shows the town earlier stated $2.50 per day and McKinney later cited a $250-per-day figure in his pronouncement; the record includes both amounts and the town or clerk should be consulted to confirm the final numeric order.)

Infinity Azura LLC (case 7393) at 5325 Southwest 30 Second Street presented a closed matter: leaks, unpermitted AC and water-heater work had been brought into compliance in January 2023, and the town asked to abate accumulated fines. The magistrate approved an 85% abatement, reducing the balance to $246; the order requires payment within 30 days and noted administrative costs had already been paid.

Other orders included a 60‑day compliance order and $100-per-day fine for work at 104 Laurie Lane (case 10808) involving multiple unpermitted renovations; a 15‑day order to remove accumulated trash at 3020–3040 Southwest Thirtieth Avenue (case 10946) with a $250-per-day fine thereafter; and a 60‑day order with $50 per day for an unpermitted fence and pergola at 5040 Southwest 30 Seventh Street (case 10973). Each respondent was assessed a $100 administrative cost for the hearing unless otherwise noted.

The magistrate routinely advised respondents to stay in contact with code enforcement and to pursue permits and inspections promptly. Copies of the orders were made available after the hearing. The session concluded with adjournment by McKinney.