Pensacola magistrate orders $25-a-day fines to start for 405 E. Blunt St.; owner presents demolition contract

Special Magistrate John Traywick found a Pensacola property at 405 East Blunt Street out of compliance and ordered a previously imposed $25-per-day fine to begin accumulating immediately.

The ruling came after Code Enforcement Officer Jason Hendricks testified that he inspected the property the morning of the hearing and found the site remained in violation of multiple maintenance provisions, including sections cited from the International Property Maintenance Code and Pensacola municipal code. Hendricks told the magistrate he observed “the roof, the tarp, the water damaged roof and eave, the press board or whatever that's up for siding” and said pictures taken that morning were “a true and accurate representation of what the property looks like today.”

Attorney Jim Valack, representing the respondent (identified in the record as the Loretta Rosato Trust), acknowledged the owner had attempted repairs but said the work was insufficient. Valack presented a demolition contract to the court and said demolition would proceed “as soon as they get the asbestos permit,” and that the contract specified demolition would occur “5 days after” permit issuance. Valack also said the owners have three potential buyers, with one scheduled to visit the property the day after the hearing.

William Rosato, who testified briefly on behalf of the owner, confirmed the trust had three potential buyers and said one prospective buyer was coming tomorrow. Valack asked the magistrate for additional time or a reduction in fees, arguing the respondent had made “good faith efforts” and had contracted for demolition as an alternative to repairs.

City counsel objected to a continuance. After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, Magistrate Traywick said he recognized attempts at repair but found the owner had not corrected all violations by the deadline. He ruled: “I find that the owner is not in compliance by the deadline, and I find that the fine would start, accumulating as of today.” Traywick noted the owner could later request a reduction or waiver of fines once remediation or demolition occurred; any such request would be decided at a future hearing.

Clerical and payment details discussed during the hearing included a prior question about a $200 court-cost charge. City staff explained payments are made to City of Pensacola Code Enforcement at 2849 North Palafox, Pensacola, Florida 32501.

The magistrate’s order leaves the previously established $25-per-day fine in place and starts accrual immediately; the record reflects that the owner is pursuing sale options and has a demolition contract pending asbestos permitting. The magistrate did not decide any reduction or waiver of fines at the hearing; such relief must be requested and decided later.

The magistrate adjourned the enforcement matter after issuing the ruling and confirming procedures for future requests to reduce or waive fines.