Fort Pierce special magistrate orders repairs, fines and one vacated judgment after April 9 hearing

Jamie Barrow, the special magistrate for the City of Fort Pierce, on April 9, 2025, found violations and issued orders requiring repairs, permit actions or payments for a series of properties and businesses, and granted one motion to vacate a prior order.

The magistrate opened the hearing by outlining the process and admitted city evidence including photographs and notice packets submitted by code officers. Heather De Bevec, a city code officer, presented multiple cases and photographs. For respondents present, the magistrate heard brief statements from property representatives before issuing written orders including compliance timeframes, daily fines for noncompliance and appeal periods.

Why it matters: The rulings affect multiple commercial and vacant properties along U.S. Highway 1 and elsewhere in Fort Pierce; orders include deadlines to obtain certificates of use or to perform repairs, and the city warned that utilities can be suspended for continued operation without required permits.

City judge issues business compliance orders

In case CE2025-352840 for 2840 South U.S. Highway 1 (Liquor World 2), Heather De Bevec told the magistrate the business had been cited for "22-20 subsection a certificate of use required" and provided photographs dated Jan. 17 and April 7. Virendra Patel, who identified himself at the podium, told the magistrate he was trying to complete required steps. Jamie Barrow found a violation and ordered the respondent to obtain a certificate of use or cease business within 20 days; failure to comply will trigger a $250-per-day fine and, under city ordinance section 22-28, suspension of utility services while the violation continues. Patel has 30 days to appeal the decision.

In case CE2025-157 for 1699 North U.S. Highway 1 (property owner listed as LDM Fort Pierce LLC), code evidence showed a missing sign face, peeling paint, rotted wood on the building fascia and potholes. Martin Marrero, who identified himself as the property manager, apologized and asked for time to make repairs; Marrero said the site was "a disaster" and that his team had been delayed by other work. The magistrate adopted the city's evidence and, after hearing a request for 90 days, ordered 60 days to repair or replace damaged signs, fill potholes and paint exterior walls; failure to comply will result in a $250-per-day fine. The magistrate also noted the respondent may work with the code enforcement department for additional time if necessary, and that permit approval would allow up to 180 days to complete permitted work.

Parking citation and payment order

In parking case PK2025-25 at the 400 block of South Market Avenue, the magistrate found a violation for parking on the right-of-way and ordered 15 days for payment of $78 (listed in the record as a $50 citation, a $10 administrative fee and an $18 late fee). The city introduced photos and said the case began as a complaint through the Seek, Like, Fix system; the magistrate ordered payment within 15 days or transfer of the citation to the St. Lucie County Court system.

Other business and nuisance orders

The magistrate issued orders across multiple residential and vacant lots and businesses requiring modest corrective work and setting fines for noncompliance: - Pueblo Viejo 2 LLC (CE2025-102; 1301 South U.S. Highway 1): 10 days to obtain a certificate of use or cease business; $250-per-day fine and possible suspension of utilities under ordinance 22-28; 30 days to appeal. - 1230 Easter Avenue (CE2025-20; owner: Jose de Leon): 30 days to obtain a permit and repair a driveway trip hazard; $250-per-day fine and 30 days to appeal. - 1226 Easter Avenue (CE2025-221; owner: EquiFirst Properties LLC): 30 days to trim hedges, remove outside storage and repair sidewalks/driveways and paint discolored walls; $250-per-day fine and 30 days to appeal. - Lot-clearing and nuisance cases (multiple parcels, including an approximately 8-acre parcel owned by Mayfair Fort Pierce LLC at Nebraska Avenue): ordered short compliance deadlines (mostly seven days, one case extended to 14 days for a parcel associated with Longwood Medical Center) to cut grass, trim trees and remove debris; the city may abate the nuisance and assess abatement costs to the property and fined $100 per day for continued violation; 30 days to appeal.

Vacated order

On a separate matter (CE2024-51), the city moved to vacate a January 24, 2025, order that had found a violation at Tamia's Auto Collision Corp. City staff said later inspections showed no evidence the business was operating at the cited location and that there was no proof a business had been active there. Jamie Barrow granted the city's motion and vacated that judgment.

Procedure and next steps

City staff indicated notices of hearing were mailed and posted as required by State Statute 162.12. For cases the magistrate found compliant during the hearing, no further action was required; for other matters, the magistrate's written orders specify the deadlines, penalties and the 30-day appeal window when applicable. Several respondents were told they may coordinate with the code enforcement office for permit processing or, if needed, request extensions.

Ending: The special magistrate concluded the hearing after issuing the orders and noting compliance and rescheduled matters; the clerk listed additional cases that will be set for future hearings or were continued.