Special Magistrate Jennifer D. Peschke on Jan. 8, 2025, found multiple properties in Fort Pierce in violation of the city code and issued orders requiring owners to correct nuisance conditions by specified deadlines or face daily fines.

The hearing, held by the City of Fort Pierce’s code enforcement hearing officer, addressed dozens of cases including nonoperable vehicles, lot-clearing violations, outdoor storage and landscaping complaints. The magistrate entered orders giving most property owners until Jan. 15, 2025, to come into compliance; the magistrate set a March 15, 2025, compliance date for the large lot-clearing case at 2300 South Kings Highway. The hearing included several parking citations at JC Park with fines due within 15 days.

The orders were administrative findings that each cited nuisance condition “does exist” and that the condition “poses a threat to the public health, safety and welfare of the community,” language the magistrate used repeatedly when issuing remedies. City code enforcement officers presented photographs and notices; property representatives and agents were permitted to speak and request time or describe corrective plans.

Among the cases resolved:

- CE2024-00100, 701 Quincy Ave. (owner: Jean Dontillis, c/o Caricia Dontillis): Code enforcement officer Charmaine Kirkland presented dated photographs showing a U-Haul truck described as a nonoperable vehicle. The magistrate ordered removal of unregistered or nonoperable vehicles and other debris within 20 days of the hearing and warned of a $100-per-day fine for continued noncompliance.

- LTCL2024-00003, 2300 S. Kings Highway (owner: Scannell Properties 533 LLC; registered agent: Congency Global Inc.): Jeff Erovani of JHI Consulting Engineers told the magistrate the owner has a contractor scheduled to begin clearing the parcel on Jan. 20 and asked for three months to complete work on the large, 107.5-acre site. City staff clarified that for lots over three acres the code requires a 100-foot clearing from applicable property lines and recommended two months. The magistrate ordered compliance by March 15, 2025, and noted staff may grant administrative extensions in limited circumstances.

- Multiple nonoperable-vehicle cases at 2202 N. U.S. Highway 1 (owner: Dover Neal Development Inc.): Code officers introduced photographs for four separate nonoperable vehicles. One set of vehicles was claimed by Miranda McKnight (also recorded as Miranda Knight in earlier hearing notes); other vehicles were associated with Dover Neal Development. The magistrate ordered removal or valid proof of registration for the listed vessels and vehicles by Jan. 15, 2025, and specified a $100-per-day fine if compliance is not met; in addition, the city warned it may tow items at owner expense.

- CE2024-475, 1109 Fernandina St. (owners: Gerald and Kristen O’Brien Malloy): The owner described family and domestic difficulties and said the property is in foreclosure but still holds title. The magistrate ordered cutting grass, trimming trees and removing debris by Jan. 15, 2025, and set a $150-per-day fine for noncompliance.

- CE2024-059, 315 N. 17th St. (owner: D.O. Multiple Services LLC): Code photos showed indoor-style furniture on a porch, outside storage and an overgrown yard. The magistrate ordered removal or repair and set a $250-per-day fine for failure to comply by Jan. 15, 2025.

- CE2024-823, 315 S. U.S. Highway 1 (owner: Monarchia Enterprises LLC): The city noted much of the site had been cleaned and planted, with a small number of potted plants remaining unplanted. The magistrate ordered the property owner to obtain a certificate of use or complete planting and remove pallets and loose items by Jan. 15, 2025, and set a $250-per-day fine for continued noncompliance.

- LTCL2024-8 (115 N. 11th St.) and LTCL2024-9 (112 N. 11th St.): Lot-clearing cases brought after neighbor complaints; each was ordered cured by Jan. 15, 2025, or assessed a $100-per-day fine.

- Parking citations at JC Park (PK2024-123, PK2024-124): Two vehicles were cited for parking in spaces marked for boats and trailers only. Each citation was upheld with a total due of $78 (fine, admin fee and late fee) to be paid within 15 days.

The magistrate read into the record the city’s notification procedures and closed the hearing after entering the orders. For several large or multi-parcel properties, staff noted administrative extensions or building permits could proceed even while code cases remain open; property representatives were advised to keep in contact with city staff to document progress and to request extensions if weather or other unforeseen conditions delay work.

Votes at a glance (selected cases resolved Jan. 8, 2025)

- CE2024-00100 — 701 Quincy Ave.; owner: Jean Dontillis; remedy: remove unregistered/nonoperable vehicles, concrete blocks, mechanical parts and wood boards; compliance within 20 days; $100/day fine for noncompliance; outcome: order issued.

- LTCL2024-00003 — 2300 S. Kings Hwy.; owner: Scannell Properties 533 LLC; remedy: clear 100 feet along applicable road frontages (three sides), secure or demo abandoned houses; compliance by March 15, 2025; outcome: order issued (staff recommended two months; magistrate set March 15 and noted administrative extensions possible).

- NOOP2024-3 / NOOP2024-214 / NOOP2024-233 / NOOP2024-234 — 2202 N. U.S. Hwy 1; owner: Dover Neal Development Inc.; respondent claims included Miranda McKnight for some vehicles; remedy: remove vehicles or provide valid proof of registration and inflate tires as required; compliance by Jan. 15, 2025; $100/day fine if not complied; outcome: orders issued.

- CE2024-475 — 1109 Fernandina St.; owners: Gerald and Kristen O’Brien Malloy; remedy: cut grass/weeds, trim trees/shrubs, remove trash and landscape debris, ensure address numbers are visible; compliance by Jan. 15, 2025; $150/day fine; outcome: order issued.

- CE2024-059 — 315 N. 17th St.; owner: D.O. Multiple Services LLC; remedy: remove indoor furniture from porch, clear outside storage, repair fence and landscape; compliance by Jan. 15, 2025; $250/day fine; outcome: order issued.

- CE2024-823 — 315 S. U.S. Hwy 1; owner: Monarchia Enterprises LLC; remedy: obtain certificate of use or plant required species/remove pallets or loose items; compliance by Jan. 15, 2025; $250/day fine; outcome: order issued.

- PK2024-123 / PK2024-124 — JC Park parking citations; violators fined $78 each; payment due within 15 days or citations forwarded to county court; outcome: citations upheld.

Why this matters

The hearing imposed enforceable deadlines and daily fines that, if not met, will create liens or abatement costs assessed against the properties. Several cases involve larger site-preparation work or demolition where staff said administrative remedies or building permits can proceed in parallel; the March 15 date in the Scannell Properties matter recognizes the larger scale of required clearing.

What’s next

Property owners were directed to remain in contact with city code staff about progress and to request administrative extensions if weather or other documented issues arise. The magistrate closed the session after reading a list of continued and complied cases and explaining the city’s notice procedures.