Wellington magistrate orders fines, deadlines and compliance steps across multiple code cases

Special Magistrate Holly Hahn ordered fines, compliance deadlines and assessed costs in more than 20 code-enforcement cases at a Village of Wellington hearing Sept. 18, 2025, after finding numerous properties in violation of local building, land‑use and property‑maintenance rules.

The orders — addressing work done without permits, unapproved fences, missing landscape requirements, painted sidewalks, storage units and unpaid local business taxes — included deadlines for correction (commonly Oct. 16, 2025), daily fines that will begin if violations are not corrected, and small administrative costs. In several cases the magistrate assessed fines that had already begun after property owners failed to meet earlier stipulation dates.

Hahn said her rulings were based on evidence, testimony and photographs presented by Village code staff. "Based upon the evidence, testimony, and photos in this matter, I find that the violations are still in existence," she said during one ruling. In cases where respondents appeared, Hahn considered testimony about contractors, permit applications and site constraints before issuing written orders.

Most matters were routine fine‑certification or notice‑of‑violation hearings handled by Village code compliance officers. Officers repeatedly told the magistrate they had tried to contact owners, had offered stipulations or extensions and recommended either additional time to comply or assessment of the fines and costs in accordance with Village code and Florida statutes.

Votes at a glance (selected outcomes) - CC3845‑2024 (1619 Wiltshire Village Dr.; Tatiana Messeroll): Magistrate assessed $25 per day commencing 08/22/2025 for work without permits (Wellington Code §5‑1‑105.1); costs of $47.46 assessed. Respondent present; magistrate noted multiple extensions were granted and the owner had not secured the required architect seal or ARC review. - CC582‑2025 (1580 Wycliffe Dr.; Nicholas Binns): Magistrate assessed $50 per day commencing 08/22/2025 for fence installed without permit; costs $48.06. Contractor representative said the firm would either reapply or tear down and refund the owner. - NOHCC1753‑2025 (12416 Westhampton Cir.; Jose Bonilla): Respondent ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face fines of up to $25 per day per violation beginning 10/17/2025; costs $13.03; 5‑year cease‑and‑desist entered. Magistrate instructed owner to work with code compliance on replacement options for an unapproved fence, AC screening and opaque screening for garbage cans. - NOHCC1720‑2025 (The Point at Wellington LLC / Franco’s Italian Bistro): Magistrate found no business tax receipt; ordered payment of the local business tax fee plus a 25% penalty and a $250 penalty and costs of $11.65 (per staff request). - CC4742‑2024 (12403 Old Country Rd. S.; Harold G. Matthews III): Owner not present; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $50 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $13.00. - NOHCC1882‑2025 (La Mateta LLC; attached pergola): Owner not present; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $50 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $12.38; 5‑year cease‑and‑desist. - CC2317‑2025 (1611 Cabot Ln., unit 6; Diane Zekken): AC replacement without permit; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $50 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $13.65; 5‑year cease‑and‑desist. - NOHCC3200‑2024 (13250 Southfields Rd.; Ramin & Stacy Arani): Fine assessed at $50 per day beginning 09/04/2025 for window/store replacement remaining in plan check; costs $49.65. - NOHCC3472‑2024 (2654 Sawyer Terrace; Haley & Samuel Aronov): Paver driveway extension done without permit; $50 per day beginning 08/22/2025; costs $46.73. - CCDash930‑2024 (1304 Stratford St.; Corine Bloom & Darren Anken): Landscape standard violations; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $13.65. - NOHCC3621‑2024 (12744 Buckland St.; Aquosokey Investment LLC): Trees removed without a vegetation removal permit; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $13.78. - CC604‑2025 (1275 Peiwinkle Pl.; Marina [last name on file]): Partial compliance noted; remaining landscape/foundation planting violations ordered corrected by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day per violation beginning 10/17/2025; costs $12.22. - NOHCC1157‑2025 (1208 Summerwood Cir.; Philip & Joanna Harden): Dead/diseased landscape and removed trees without permit; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day per violation beginning 10/17/2025; costs $14.43. - CC1789‑2025 (1350 Longleaf Terr.; painted sidewalk/driveway apron): Owner given options (hold‑harmless, removal methods, stipulation); ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $12.22. - NOHCC2563‑2025 (1226 Redding Terr.; Monica & Thomas Schmidt): Missing foundation plants/overgrown front landscape; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $13.03. - NOHCC2897‑2025 (11647 Turnstone Dr.; Luis Aurelio Horna): Multiple exterior maintenance and landscaping violations; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day per violation beginning 10/17/2025; costs $12.22. - NOHCC3102‑2025 (15430 Meadowood Dr.; Natalie Bestine Montuparias): Portable storage (POD) on driveway beyond seven days; ordered to remove by 09/30/2025; if not removed, $25 per day assessed beginning 10/01/2025; costs $12.22. - CC3645‑2025 (2578 Country Golf Dr.; IH5 Property Florida LP): Roof vegetation remaining; ordered to correct by 10/16/2025 or face $25 per day beginning 10/17/2025; costs $12.22. - NOHCC382‑2025 (1313 Pueblo Blanco Pl.; Champe LLC): Partial compliance; assessed $25 per day per violation commencing 08/22/2025; costs $46.08. - NOHCC935‑2025 (277 Oneida Terr.; Odellus & Artemio Garza): Dead palms / hazardous tree condition; assessed $25 per day commencing 08/21/2025; costs $34.43. - CCDash1237‑2025 (1321 Windcliff Dr.; Tara & Andrew Armadas): Hedges encroaching on sidewalk; assessed $25 per day commencing 08/22/2025; costs $47.46. - NOHCC1628‑2025 (1204 Creekside Dr.; Sarah & Glenn Bernstein): Trim and driveway staining; assessed $25 per day per violation commencing 08/22/2025; costs $47.46.

Several respondents said they were working with contractors or the Village but had not completed paperwork or obtained required seals. For example, respondent Tatiana Messeroll told the magistrate she had sought architects and engineers but had been unable to obtain an architect’s seal to present to the Architectural Review Committee; Magistrate Hahn noted the resident had signed a February stipulation and found the violation remained.

The magistrate repeatedly urged respondents to work directly with the Village’s building or planning departments to pursue owner‑builder options, change‑of‑contractor paperwork, or stipulation terms where appropriate. In multiple cases the magistrate entered five‑year cease‑and‑desist orders and required owners to contact code compliance once corrections are complete.

Hahn said she will issue written orders memorializing each ruling; most orders include deadlines, assessed costs and instructions for next steps, including the date for potential fine certification hearings if violations are not corrected.