Starlight Tower says permit corrections underway; magistrate grants 30‑day continuance
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Summary
Owners of Starlight Tower told the magistrate they are working with the city on a corrected permit submission after a contractor filed a residential permit in error; magistrate continued the case 30 days to Sept. 8 for status.
The owner and a board member for Starlight Tower Incorporated told the City of St. Pete Beach special magistrate on Monday that the property is working through the permitting process after storm damage was repaired without a permit.
Louis Cruz, the city’s code enforcement representative, said the site is "working with the city" and that planning and zoning was reviewing a permit application. He asked the magistrate to continue the status hearing 30 days to allow the permitting review to proceed.
Edward Wolf, a Starlight Tower board member and owner of one affected unit, said a contractor initially filed the permit as residential rather than commercial and that the contractor has since corrected the submission and provided engineering drawings. Wolf said the team was coordinating with a structural engineer and that the planning staff had requested a threshold inspection.
Special Magistrate Erica Augello granted a 30‑day continuance from the hearing date and directed the parties to stay in contact with the city code enforcement representative about whether they must appear at the next hearing; she said reconvening would be scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025. The magistrate said she would issue an order and email it to the respondent.
Wolf said the association would cover any administrative fees or fines if they become necessary and asked the magistrate to notify him if further appearances are required.