Substandard Review Board OKs daily fines, demands corrected bond for 112 East Marlin Street

The Substandard Review Board voted March 5 to begin civil administrative penalties and to require corrected surety bonds for the property at 112 East Marlin Street in Padre Beach after the owner failed to submit required plans and permits.

The board acted after the building official reported that, while owner Mr. Ponce submitted a $25,000 surety bond on March 14, “no plans, permit application, or any other documents, have been submitted for review and approval by our division,” and a follow-up inspection showed no work beyond cleanup and fencing done in March. The building official identified a previously ordered deadline for submission of a detailed plan of work and a structural report that had not been met.

Board members said the lack of a time schedule, engineer’s structural report and required permits violated prior SSRB orders. A motion that the board assess civil administrative penalties of $500 per day starting immediately and require a surety bond that explicitly covers demolition (listed in the motion as $25,000) and a separate remodel bond (amounts discussed in the meeting) passed by voice vote. The board’s action followed discussion about whether the $25,000 bond submitted would cover demolition or the likely repair costs; board members observed that the submitted bond appears to cover remodeling rather than demolition.

The building official told the board the March 5 order required the owner to submit a detailed plan of work, a time schedule and a structural report by specified dates and to obtain all necessary permits; the building official said those items remain outstanding. The transcript shows the board debated bond amounts and the appropriate penalty rate before approving the motion by voice vote.

The board did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; the motion was carried by voice as “Aye.” The board directed that the owner supply an updated surety bond that explicitly covers demolition and the additional bond or bonds discussed, and that civil administrative penalties commence as stated in the motion.

The action does not itself authorize demolition; it begins the penalty assessment process and requires corrected bonding and required documentation from the owner. The building department indicated it has not received permits, engineered plans or other submittals needed to begin work to bring the property into compliance.