Miami magistrate grants extensions to property owners cited for code violations

Special Magistrate Dawn Grace Jones granted time-limited extensions of 30 to 120 days to multiple property owners cited for building-permit and property-maintenance violations during a Sept. 8 Code Enforcement Special Magistrate hearing in Miami.

The extensions covered a range of violations including work performed without permits (remodeling, fences, driveways, windows and doors), inactive building-permit plans, failure to obtain certificates of use and business tax receipts (BTRs), and outside storage of debris. Jones opened the hearing by explaining her authority under Florida Statutes and city code and reminded attendees that any order may be appealed to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit within 30 days of the hearing date.

The magistrate approved requests for additional time after owners described delays caused by contractor changes, inactive or expired plans, and pending inspections. Lee Pollock, the owner of 3421 Frow Avenue, told the magistrate she had “been on my fourth general contractor” and asked humbly for an extension; Pollock said, “I have every reason to believe that at the end of this hundred and 20 days, that will be enough time.” The magistrate granted the requested time.

Other owners and representatives who received extensions included: - 45 Southwest 20 Eighth Road (Case 00105759): owner Amir Elvie Sigler was granted 90 days for outside debris removal and to finalize permits. - 3135 Southwest 14th Street (Case 00028853): owner requested and received 90 days to finalize fence, driveway and gate permits. - 2097 Northwest 20 Second Court (Case 00119265): Michael Zogby, listed as a member of 2097 LLC, was granted 30 days to obtain an affidavit of compliance and finalize licensing paperwork. - 321 Southwest 21 Road (Case 00084944): owner Armando Sandra was granted 120 days to complete permitting and plan revisions for a short-term rental property. - 2060 Northwest 20 Second Avenue (Case 00119262): Reynaldo Padron (A1A International LLC) was granted 90 days to complete permit and contractor changes. - Duplex properties 3171 and 3173 Southwest 11th Street (Cases 00094594 and 00094596): George Castillo was granted 90 days for final roadway approach/driveway inspections; the magistrate noted the permits are under one plan. - 1741 West Flagler Street (Case 00101992): counsel for the property requested 90 days for a certificate of use and BTR; the magistrate ordered 90 days with no city objection. - 1611 Northwest 30 Eighth Street (Case 00112124): Leon Leonard requested 120 days after changing engineers to legalize work; the magistrate granted 120 days. - 1842 Northwest 18 Terrace (Case 00127849): Nancy Labaraba requested 120 days citing contractor timelines; the magistrate ordered 120 days. - 279 Northwest 50 Fourth Street (Case 00104427): Junior Herlevo was granted 90 days to address temporary use/food-truck issues, permits and site work. - 1760 Northwest 40 First Street (Case 00103652): Dudley Maynard / Amy Frank Jackson were granted 90 days to finalize permits and clean the lot. - 3361 Northwest 15th Street (Case 00044317): Jadri de Armas was granted 120 days after recently finalizing a fence permit and beginning broader legalization work.

For one item (Case 00102469, 764 Southwest Eighth Street) the magistrate recorded that there was no power of attorney and the owners had not appeared; the matter was taken off calendar and the magistrate noted that, absent compliance or an appearance, liens would start to run from the original compliance date.

City staff routinely told the magistrate whether inspectors were in the review or inspection phase and in many cases said they had no objection to the requested continuances. The magistrate reminded property owners that finalizing a building permit does not automatically notify code compliance staff; owners must contact their code inspector to request an affidavit of compliance so the case can be closed and liens avoided.

The hearing adjourned after the remaining cases were handled and the magistrate thanked the interpreters and attendees. Absent property owners were off calendar and the city will proceed with lien procedures where applicable.