Board finds violations at Via Formia property; orders 30-day compliance and $16.38 in costs

The Punta Gorda Code Enforcement Board found that the property at 7711 Via Formia violated Punta Gorda Code sections on tall grass, property maintenance and visible trash storage and ordered the respondent to correct the violations within 30 days. Code Compliance Officer Meredith Achtenberg presented 18 photos taken May 19 and follow-up inspections showing tall grass and weeds in landscaped areas, trash containers visible from the street and outside storage items (roof tiles, plastic containers, metal material) that remained after a certified notice and a subsequent certified notice of hearing. The initial corrective notice was mailed on May 20, 2025 and was received by the respondent via certified mail on May 21, 2025; re-inspections on June 30 and July 22, 2025 found the violations persisted. The board issued a cease-and-desist order covering Punta Gorda Code ch. 9 §9-2(h), ch. 26 §8.11(e), ch. 26 §3.13(o) and ch. 9 §9-2(a). It ordered compliance within 30 days of receipt of the order and assessed case costs of $16.38 due within 30 days. The board said failure to comply could result in fines up to $250 per day plus interest. Officers noted there had been some contact from the property owner’s son, who said the owners were out of the country and inquired about corrective steps; the city provided photographs and instructions by email.