Code board gives David Lee more time to repair fence, pool after finding some violations corrected

The Municipal Code Enforcement Board found multiple code violations at 319 Hilltop Avenue on April 23 and ordered the property owner to complete remaining repairs by Aug. 1, 2025.

The hearing concerned case 21-25, which alleged violations for exterior surfaces, fence maintenance, roof maintenance and an unsecured pool. City inspector Greg Dixon told the board the property had four violations, that the owner had removed a tarp from the roof and was working on replacement fencing and exterior cleaning, and that the pool was holding water and had been serviced to run the pump.

The board first voted to find the respondent in violation as alleged in the affidavit. Inspector Dixon described the outstanding work and recommended declaring the roof violation satisfied while setting a compliance date for the other items. Dixon said compliance for exterior surfaces would include pressure washing and repairing or replacing defective decorative or structural elements, fence compliance would require replacing the fence and removing remnants of the old fence, and the pool would require functioning circulation and a barrier to prevent access.

Owner David Lee, who identified himself as the 62-year-old owner and a working heavy-duty industrial electrician, told the board he learned about the notices only recently and said he intended to cooperate. “I fully intend to be a good citizen of Clearwater,” Lee said, adding he would arrange temporary measures to prevent access to the pool before leaving town.

Board members accepted that the roof was now in compliance and entered a declaration that no fine be imposed for the corrected roof condition. For the remaining exterior surfaces, fence maintenance and unsafe pool, the board later voted to enter an order requiring correction on or before Aug. 1, 2025. The order imposes a civil fine of $150 per day for each day a violation continues to exist if the respondent does not comply by the deadline; unpaid fines and fees may lead to a lien and eventual foreclosure, collection or settlement three months after recording.

Code compliance supervisor Rebecca Mulder told the board that fence permits are generally expedited and should not be a significant delay, and she and Inspector Dixon said they would coordinate with Lee on acceptable temporary barriers for pool safety while work proceeds. The board repeatedly encouraged the owner to stay in regular contact with Inspector Dixon during the compliance period.

The board’s final motions on the case included (1) a declaration acknowledging that one violation (roof maintenance) had been corrected prior to the hearing and imposing no fine for that corrected item, and (2) an order setting Aug. 1, 2025 as the deadline for correcting the remaining violations with the $150-per-day penalty if the violations continue.

The board recorded the motions as passed by voice vote.