Lake Clarke Shores board waives $12,600 fine after resident submits engineer letter, gets permit sign-off

The Town of Lake Clarke Shores Code Enforcement Board on March 26 voted to waive a $12,600 fine imposed on resident John L. Hyatt after Hyatt provided an engineer’s letter and the building official signed off on the work.

The board’s action followed testimony that Hyatt’s property had come into compliance earlier the same day after the building department reviewed the engineer’s letter and closed the case. Code enforcement officer Eric Wagon told the board the building official performed a final check and the case was moved to full compliance.

The decision followed testimony and questions from board members about the timeline. Hyatt told the board he had sought a permit and an engineer’s drawings and that securing the engineer took months. "I came and asked Melissa, and Melissa said there is, we have no permit for that," Hyatt said, describing his efforts to obtain the documentation and a permit.

Board members discussed whether to reduce the accumulated fine to a smaller amount; an amendment to reduce the fine to $1,000 failed. The main motion to waive the $12,600 fine carried on a voice vote.

The board record shows the enforcement action began when a fine schedule was imposed earlier in the year; the $12,600 total reflected the daily fine amount that accrued from the order date until the case was closed. The board noted Hyatt's prior history of obtaining permits for other work in the town and said he had acted in apparent good faith while obtaining the engineer's documentation.

The meeting record indicates the town will note the board's action in the case file. There was no vote roll-call in the transcript; the motion passed by voice vote.