Magistrate continues Callahan code-enforcement hearing after roof damage seen; sets Aug. 11 compliance date

Harrison Poole, Nassau County special magistrate, continued a fine-assessment hearing on June 10, 2025, for a property identified in the record as 545819 U.S. Highway 1 in Callahan after county staff said further roof damage was discovered once vegetation and debris were removed. The magistrate set a new compliance date of Aug. 11, 2025, and continued the matter for a fine-assessment hearing on Aug. 12; a previously imposed daily fine of $50 will begin on Aug. 11 if the property remains noncompliant.

The county entered documentary evidence and photographs into the record showing prior inspections and more recent images taken June 10. Abigail Jornby, deputy county attorney for Nassau County, asked that the clerk receive the submitted materials into the record; Angela Sandoval, appearing for the owner, raised no objection to admitting those items.

Officer Travis Taylor of Nassau County Code Enforcement said the property remained in violation of Nassau County Code of Ordinances section 7-93 after reinspection on June 10 and that, because additional damage was revealed to the roof structure, the county sought additional time for the owner to bring the property into compliance. "Upon reinspection of the property today, 06/10/2025, the property is still in violation of section 7 dash 93," Officer Taylor testified.

Charles Barr, deputy building official, said that once vegetation and debris were removed "we can see further extensive damage to the roof structure," and that the building was not weather-tight. Barr described two compliance paths the building department would accept: complete demolition with a demo permit, or installing a new permitted roof based on structural plans — a full roof-structure/renovation (not a simple reroof). He also described the county's ability to issue a very narrow partial demo permit to remove the collapsed roof section so an engineer can safely inspect the walls.

Angela Sandoval, appearing for S Transportation, Inc. and Sergio Sandoval as the recorded property owners, told the magistrate the Sandovals had boarded windows and removed vegetation as previously directed and were attempting to sell the property. "We're in the process of selling the property," Sandoval said. Realtor Heather Hagen of Jpar City and Beach Realty said she had listed the property and that a buyer was ready; she told the magistrate she reviewed materials provided by code enforcement indicating roof deterioration in prior years but did not present those older materials as part of the hearing record.

Prospective buyer Robert Whaling told the magistrate he and his team had boarded openings and planned to begin cleanup immediately after taking ownership, and that he could arrange a structural engineer. Whaling said he expected to start partial cleanup and to apply for required permits promptly after closing; the parties discussed that recording a deed may take up to about two weeks and that permit issuance or work by contractors may be required because an owner-builder permit would not be available to someone who does not yet hold title.

The magistrate and county staff emphasized that the goal of enforcement is compliance and not punishment. Poole said past progress — boarding and cleanup since the May hearing — showed substantial progress but did not achieve compliance because the structure remains without a watertight, structurally sound roof. The magistrate ordered a written decision that continues the case for a fine-assessment hearing on Aug. 12, 2025, sets a new compliance date of Aug. 11, 2025, and preserves the existing $50-per-day fine, which will begin on Aug. 11 if compliance is not achieved.

The magistrate noted the county will accept evidence of progress at the August hearing, such as a recorded deed showing a change of ownership, an engineering report, contractor information, permit applications, or proof of partial demo work performed under a county-issued partial demo permit. The hearing concluded and the magistrate adjourned the meeting.