Fort Pierce special magistrate upholds code violations, grants several lien and fine reductions

Special Magistrate Jennifer Peschke on May 8 found multiple building- and property-code violations at a series of Fort Pierce addresses and set compliance deadlines, while also approving several reductions of fines and liens for property owners who came into compliance or demonstrated extenuating circumstances.

The city presented evidence and photographs for each matter, with inspectors testifying to unpermitted work, unsafe structural conditions, open permits and other International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and Florida Building Code (FBC) violations. Peschke issued written orders at the hearing that largely gave respondents 60 days to obtain required permits and to schedule reinspection; one case received 120 days to complete the permitting process. Several owners asking for lien or fine reductions received partial relief limited to the administrative costs the city documented.

Why this matters: the rulings affect tenants and neighborhood safety and establish enforceable timelines to bring buildings, pools and electrical work into code compliance. The lien reductions also affect the city’s ability to collect long‑running penalties and the property owners’ prospects for selling or refinancing.

Most urgent findings

- The magistrate found that violations exist at multiple rental properties where inspectors documented structural decay, unsafe stairways, missing or broken windows and evidence of pest infestation. Those owners were ordered to obtain permits within 60 days and to secure all required inspections; fines of $100 per day were scheduled to resume for remaining violations if compliance is not achieved.

- In a case at 1804 Havana Ave., the hearing record shows the owners had ongoing permit-review work and medical and logistical hardships. Staff recommended 60 days but, after testimony, the magistrate extended the time to 120 days for the owners to obtain and finalize required permits and inspections.

- The owner/operator of a child‑care facility at 464 North Ninth Street testified that a December collision damaged the building’s façade; the magistrate found violations remain open because the city had not yet reinspected and gave the owner 60 days to obtain required engineering documentation and a building permit so the department could confirm repairs.

Fine and lien reductions

Several respondents sought and received reductions to administrative costs rather than full waivers of fines or liens. Among the reductions ordered at the hearing:

- 509 North 20th Street (case for owner Nettie McCormick): the magistrate accepted staff’s recommended reduction to the administrative-cost amount and allowed six months for payment. (Staff had calculated administrative costs on the file.)

- 1219 North 20th Street (Trudine Multi Services LLC): the magistrate reduced a $5,540 accrued-fine lien to the city’s documented administrative costs ($2,079.95) and granted six months to pay.

- 670 Hernando Street: magistrate reduced a $23,050 accrued lien to administrative costs ($1,367.35) and required payment within 60 days.

- 2609 South U.S. Highway 1 (two matters for the same property): in combined proceedings the magistrate accepted the owner’s offer to pay 10% of one fine ($863) and to pay a negotiated reduced lien amount ($11,554) within 60 days; staff agreed to the offsets noted on the record.

- 550 Okeechobee Road: reduced to administrative costs ($1,061.25) with 30 days to pay; staff had recommended the administrative-cost reduction and the respondent said a permit-expediting firm assisted the owner.

Inspector testimony and evidence

City inspectors who presented evidence included Myles Keller, Joel Smith, Anthony Jetmore, Logan Wynn and Frank Remling. Keller testified about sagging and rotted stairs, broken windows and interior damage at multiunit rentals; Smith documented multiple instances of unpermitted electrical and interior renovations discovered during roof or other inspections; Jetmore identified façade damage at a property struck by a vehicle; Wynn and Remling presented photographs showing missing louvers, damaged glazing and other IPMC and FBC deficiencies.

Respondent testimony and next steps

Several respondents or their representatives appeared in person or by phone and described steps they were taking to come into compliance: hiring contractors, submitting permit revisions, contacting engineers, or pursuing reinspection appointments. Special Magistrate Peschke repeatedly urged owners and contractors to contact building‑department staff after the hearing to schedule reinspections once permits have been submitted or work has been completed. For respondents who did not appear, the orders were entered based on the evidence presented by city staff.

Orders, appeals and enforcement

For most findings the magistrate ordered the violations remain and required the typical timeline: obtain permits within 60 days, obtain approval for required inspections at least every 180 days until permits are closed, and cure all violations. The magistrate advised respondents they have 30 days from entry of the written order to file an appeal. Where owners showed progress or hardship, the magistrate adjusted timelines or accepted reduced penalty amounts consistent with staff recommendations and the record.

Votes at a glance (selected docket items)

- BV2024-00072315, South Seventeenth St., owner Grama Lazaro — violation found; 60 days to obtain permits; $100/day fine to resume if noncompliant. - BV2024-0010224, 2425 Mohawk Drive, 2707 Essex Court Corp — violation found; 60 days to obtain permit; inspection/reinspection pending (electrical permit in review). - BV2024-00105, 1804 Havana Ave., Manuel & Graciela Sandejas — violation found; permit revisions in review; magistrate granted 120 days to obtain required permits and inspections. - BV2024-00107, 464 North Ninth St., Save Our Children — unsafe-structure finding; owner reports repairs made but must obtain engineer findings and permits; 60 days to obtain permit and schedule reinspection. - BV2025-000071936, Harbour Town Drive, SHM Harbour Town LLC — pool‑barrier violations; 60 days to obtain permit and repair barrier. - 7A (case 21-1658), 509 N. 20th St. (Massey hearing/fine reduction) — property in compliance; magistrate reduced fines to documented administrative cost and allowed six months to pay. - 7C (BV2024-0000948), 4811 North 20th St. (Earl Gardner) — staff to reinspect; accrual of fines stayed 30 days for reinspection, then further fine-determination hearing. - 8B (case 20-2819), 1400 Avenue I (Ernst Alex) — lien-reduction request denied; respondent indicated ability to pay remaining balance by June 1; magistrate reiterated deadline under existing order. - 8C (22-2732), 1219 N. 20th St. (Trudine Multi Services LLC) — lien reduced to $2,079.95 (administrative costs); payment in six months. - 8D (23-1842), 670 Hernando St. — lien reduced to $1,367.35 (administrative costs); 60 days to pay. - 6E (BV2025-00001), 513 N. 17th St. (Great Harvest Investment LLC) — violation found (windows/electrical); 60 days to obtain permits. - 6F (BV2025-000022731), Fairway Dr. (Patrick Bly) — porch-column permit required; 60 days to obtain permit (permit applied and returned for revision). - 6G (BV2025-00005), 1016 Tortugas Ave. (Armando Mendez & Manuela Castelllegos) — expired permit/permit required for rear addition; 60 days to obtain or renew permit. - 6I (BV2025-00011), 1205 N. 20th St., Unit 60 (SP Pine Creek Village LP) — multiple IPMC items (glazing, electrical, ductwork); 60 days to cure or permit and schedule reinspection.

What to watch next

- Reinspection scheduling: several matters were left open for reinspection; staff said owners and contractors should contact the building department as soon as permits or repairs are ready so inspectors can confirm compliance.

- Appeal windows: owners who disagree with an order have 30 days from the date the written order is entered to file an appeal, per the magistrate’s instructions recorded on the transcript.

By the close of the hearing Peschke adjourned the docket after completing the cases on the posted agenda.