Fort Pierce special magistrate finds nuisance conditions in multiple lot‑clearing cases, orders abatement and fines

Special Magistrate Jennifer Peschke on Aug. 6 found nuisance conditions at multiple Fort Pierce properties and ordered owners to abate overgrowth, trim or lift trees, and remove debris within deadlines or face fines and city abatement.

The hearing, convened by the City of Fort Pierce Code Enforcement Division, resulted in abatement orders for residential and vacant lots across Avenue F and South 20th Street and a separate parking citation at JC Park. The magistrate ordered fines of $100 per day for each day a violation continues if owners fail to comply, and ruled that the city may abate the nuisance and assess the abatement costs against the property. Respondents have 30 days from the hearing to file an appeal of any order.

Why it matters: code‑enforcement orders can block building permits, lead to daily fines, and trigger city‑paid abatement costs charged back to property owners. At least one property owner said the violation was delaying a site permit and asked for more time to remove trees and clear the lot.

Most of the contested matters were lot‑clearing (nuisance/landscaping) cases under the city code cited in staff testimony as “24‑19 subsection 11, subsection a, subsection b.” Code enforcement officers presented photographs and notices showing overgrowth, trash and trees that staff said needed trimming or lifting to meet city landscaping standards. In the cases where respondents did not appear, the magistrate found the violations proven on the record and issued the standard 7‑day abatement order. In two adjacent lots owned by Youth and Family Behavioral Health Center Inc., the hearing record shows respondents requested additional time; the magistrate set one of those properties to a 15‑day compliance window after staff and the owner discussed permit needs for tree removal.

Respondent Moval Ginmarie, who spoke for multiple adjacent properties, said she had hired a contractor to remove trees and expected work to begin soon. “I would just like to ask for an extension because I'm gonna have somebody clean the land and remove the tree and everything,” she told the magistrate. She said a builder had told her the pending violation blocked permit approval.

City staff cautioned that some trees may be protected and that property owners should obtain any required permits before removal. Isaac Saucedo, listed in the hearing as a city staff member, advised checking for protected species and ensuring contractors pull the proper permits before removing trees; staff told at least one owner that trimming rather than removal could resolve the violation while permit research occurred.

The hearing also included a parking citation for a vehicle at JC Park. Code enforcement officer Charmaine Kirkland presented photographs dated May 24 showing a vehicle in a boat/trailer parking area; Kirkland recommended a fine of $50 plus a $10 administrative fee and an $18 late fee, for a total due of $78. No representative appeared for that citation, and the magistrate ordered the $78 fine; failure to pay within 15 days will result in referral to the county court system.

Votes at a glance: LTCL‑2025‑147 (1211 South 20th Street) — Owner: Youth and Family Behavioral Health Center Inc.; additional party: Jean Mary Monroy. Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 15 days to cut grass/weeds, trim trees/shrubs to notice standards and remove trash/debris; $100 per day fine if not complied; city may abate and assess costs; 30 days to appeal. (Respondent requested 30 days; staff and magistrate set 15 days; staff warned tree removal may require permits and some trees may be protected.) LTCL‑2025‑148 (1213 South 20th Street) — Owner: Youth and Family Behavioral Health Center Inc.; registered agent: Jean Mary Monoball. Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 15 days to comply with trimming/cleanup and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate and assess costs; 30 days to appeal. PK‑2025‑261 (JC Park) — Owner: Ingrid Perez Gomez (vehicle citation). Finding: vehicle parked in boat/trailer‑only area. Order: $78 fine (includes $50 fine, $10 admin fee, $18 late fee); failure to pay within 15 days will result in referral to county court. LTCL‑2025‑146 (407 South 20th Street) — Owner: Allah Mohammed (name indicated, mailing address per property appraiser). Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 7 days to trim trees, cut grass and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate; 30 days to appeal. LTCL‑2025‑149 (2205 South 20th Street) — Owners: Associates Investment Group LLC and Indian River Investments LLC; registered agent: Diana A. Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 7 days to cut required vegetation (100‑foot cut requirement noted for larger parcel), trim trees/shrubs and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate; 30 days to appeal. LTCL‑2025‑134 (1121 Avenue F) — Owner: ABC 76 Investment LLC; additional: Claudia de Bautista. Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 7 days to cut grass/weeds, trim trees/shrubs and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate; 30 days to appeal. LTCL‑2025‑137 (1202 Avenue F) — Owner: Nala Re LLC; registered agent: Nancy Leverells. Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 7 days to cut grass/weeds and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate; 30 days to appeal. LTCL‑2025‑138 (Avenue F; parcel number noted in file) — Owner: Nala Re LLC; registered agent: Nancy Levaros/Leverells (name variants in record). Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 7 days to cut grass/weeds and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate; 30 days to appeal. LTCL‑2025‑141 (Avenue F; parcel listed) — Owner: George Spain. Finding: nuisance condition proven. Order: 7 days to cut grass/weeds and remove debris; $100 per day fine for noncompliance; city may abate; 30 days to appeal.

Staff listed additional lot‑clearing and non‑op cases that were in compliance, rescheduled or set for future hearings; those case numbers were read into the record at the end of the session. The hearing was recorded and the magistrate reminded respondents that the standard of proof is competent, substantial evidence and that orders issued today may be appealed within 30 days.

The magistrate closed the hearing after staff read the remaining case list and announced the session adjourned.