Greenacres magistrate orders fixes, deadlines and fines across multiple property cases

Special Magistrate Amity Barnard on March 25 set deadlines and possible daily fines for a string of code-enforcement cases in Greenacres, Florida, ranging from an unpermitted air‑conditioning installation at a private home to an incomplete commercial church development and multiple business and property maintenance violations.

The magistrate gave the most stringent schedule to the partially built Church of God property on South Jog Road, ordering short-term maintenance fixes within 30 days and full site-and-development or demolition steps within longer deadlines, with a $250-per-day penalty if the property remains out of compliance. The hearing record shows city staff and the church’s pastor debated whether the unfinished building can be retrofitted to meet current codes or must be removed.

“I am not to be punitive. My job is to help you get into compliance,” Special Magistrate Amity Barnard told the church representatives, then gave staggered deadlines so the property owner could either pursue approvals or remove the structure. The magistrate required the easier items (landscaping, removal of loose materials and certain exterior hazards) to be corrected by April 26, larger site and drainage fixes by June 25, and building‑permit–related code sections by July 24; the city recommended the same schedule.

City staff said the church project’s original building permits and related approvals expired years ago and some work on‑site was done without required approvals. Denise Malone, Director of Development and Neighborhood Services, told the magistrate the project began with approvals in 2009 and that building permits issued in 2016 expired in August 2024. Pastor Al McDonald Wilson told the hearing his congregation plans to sell the property and argued demolition would be unfair after the congregation’s investment: “We have spent approximately 3,000,000 on that building,” he said. Magistrate Barnard said the city had provided ample time and documentation and pressed the owner to begin the city’s application process if they intended to keep the building.

Other cases and orders announced at the hearing included:

- 6357 Summer Sky Lane (case 1-25-10954): Code officer Xavier Morales presented evidence that an outdoor air‑conditioning unit was installed without a permit. City Mechanical Inspector John Pankiewicz testified he discovered the unit while inspecting a neighboring property: “I noticed this violation while I was doing an inspection at the house next door. ... on the way to the house, there was a new unit sitting there.” Magistrate Barnard found the property in violation of Florida Building Code sections 105.1 and 110.1 and ordered the owner to secure a permit and inspections by May 26; if a permit is not issued by May 26, a $50-per-day fine will begin on May 27.

- 6Dash24Dash10510 / South Jog Road — Church of God, Seventh Day (case 6-24-10510): The magistrate entered the city’s evidentiary packet and found multiple violations including expired permits, grading/drainage and landscaping problems and work inconsistent with prior approvals. The order gave 30‑day, 90‑day and 120‑day compliance tiers (April 26, June 25 and July 24 respectively) and warned of a $250-per-day fine if the owner fails to comply after the deadlines.

- 3838 South Jog Road — Auto Repair Pros (case 8-24-10666): Code officer Xavier Morales said the business displayed excessive window signage, lacked a business tax receipt because it had not passed a fire inspection, and placed a freestanding monument sign without a permit. Senior planner Johnny (Gianni) Gallier told the magistrate the site‑plan amendment required for exterior changes is a minor site‑plan amendment and may be approved administratively once filed. The magistrate ordered compliance by April 26 or a $100‑per‑day fine.

- 5283 Lake Worth Road — El Rey del Taco / trailers (case 2-25-11145): Code officer Jerry Bernal reported multiple trailers stored in required parking spaces and window signage exceeding 25% of individual panes; the respondent said they have applied for a temporary‑use permit tied to ongoing demolition/remodel work. The magistrate ordered the owner to either remove the trailers or obtain the temporary‑use permit and comply with signage and business‑tax requirements by May 11; if the temporary‑use permit is approved, the trailers may remain under permit conditions; otherwise they must be removed. A $100-per-day fine was set for noncompliance.

- 342 Pine Ridge Circle C1 (case 2-25-11156): The property owner, who agreed with the inspector’s documentation, was ordered to raise hurricane protective shutters fully by March 30 or face a $50-per-day fine. Code officer Carlos Maldonado and the magistrate explained the code requires shutters to be “opened” so emergency personnel can evaluate a structure in an emergency; the magistrate rejected an argument that partially open shutters met the code’s intent and set the short deadline.

- 5740 S. 30th Court (case 1-25-11010): The magistrate found violations for required rental documentation, outdoor storage, fence painting and unpainted exterior areas and ordered compliance by April 10 or a $100-per-day fine.

- 453 Jennings Avenue (case 3-25-11161): After photos and testimony that trash and debris remained at the side of the property, the magistrate ordered cleanup by April 6 with a $100‑per‑day fine thereafter.

The magistrate entered the city’s evidentiary files into the record for the cases and instructed respondents to contact city staff when they complete corrective work so inspections can be performed and fines avoided. Several respondents told the hearing they were working with contractors, sign companies or fire‑system vendors and requested time for permits or repairs; the magistrate generally gave additional time where staff had represented that permit applications or contractor work were pending but warned that fines and liens could follow noncompliance.

The hearing packet included city photos, notices of violation, certified‑mail receipts and affidavits of posting for each case. Magistrate Barnard advised respondents that orders and exact dates would be mailed and urged continued communication with code enforcement staff.

Ending: Orders from this hearing will be formalized in mailed decisions. Respondents with questions were told to contact the city’s Development and Neighborhood Services or code officers listed in the hearing record to arrange inspections and document compliance.