Special magistrate reduces fines for owner of 3420 South Ocean Boulevard; payments due April 11

The Town of Highland Beach special magistrate approved reductions to accrued fines on two enforcement cases for the same property at 3420 South Ocean Boulevard and set a payment deadline of April 11, 2025.

Code compliance officer Adam Mosowski said the matters dated to prior hearings that required the property owner to come into compliance within 30 days or face a $250-per-day fine. In case CC24160, Mosowski said the property remained in violation 115 days after the date set for compliance and the total fine as of the hearing was $28,750; the town recommended an 85% reduction to $4,312.50. In case CC24172, Mosowski said the property remained in violation 82 days after the compliance date and the total fine as of the hearing was $20,500; the town recommended reducing that fine to $2,050.

Attorney Gavin McLean, representing the property owner, said his client had submitted permits and encountered contractor issues and extended travel, and asked for larger reductions and additional time. McLean proposed a 95% reduction for the first case, which he calculated as $1,437.50. The town replied with a 90% reduction offer of $2,875 for the CC24160 matter.

The special magistrate accepted the town's 90% reduction offer for CC24160, set the reduced amount at $2,875, and gave the respondent 60 days to pay, with the amount returning to the original fine if unpaid by April 11, 2025. For CC24172, the magistrate reduced the fine to $2,050 and likewise set payment due by April 11, 2025, or the fine would revert to the prior amount.

The hearing record shows the town had already collected $250 in prosecution costs on one file and that the reductions were granted in recognition of permit filings and progress toward compliance, subject to the payment deadlines the magistrate imposed.