Magistrate gives owner 30 days to apply for permit for unfinished addition at Lake City home

Special Magistrate Stephanie Marchman found a code violation for an unfinished and weather-damaged addition at 1196 Southwest Yorktown and ordered the property owner to apply for building permits within 30 days.

City code officer Don White told the magistrate that inspectors observed an unfinished addition with a hole in the roof and potential rodent harborage on Dec. 19. White said the city sent notices; Donna Maranto, appearing as power of attorney for owner Dante Maranto, received the notices and responded.

Building official Scott Thomason told the hearing that if the city receives an application within 30 days it typically takes four to 10 days to process, but the structure’s trusses may be compromised by exposure and an engineer’s sign-off could be required. Marchman said she would find a violation of Sec. 304.11 related to the roof and disrepair but would not find a rodent-related violation without evidence.

Marchman ordered the owner to apply for a permit within 30 days either to demolish the addition or to repair it. If no permit application is filed within 30 days, a $50-per-day fine will begin to accrue and become a lien on the property. The magistrate awarded administrative costs of $19.28 for the certified mailings.

Donna Maranto told the magistrate she plans to repair rather than demolish the structure and said she has spent more than $7,000 to save the home. The building official offered to meet with Maranto about technical requirements and permit fees.