Code board finds Park of Valenza complex out of compliance, orders life‑safety fixes by Dec. 10
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Summary
The City of Temple Terrace found widespread fire‑safety violations at Park of Valenza (6900 Aruba Ave.), ordered corrections by Dec. 10 and set daily fines totaling $2,000 per day if unaddressed; owners said they have contracts and a remediation plan but major sprinkler work will take months.
The Municipal Code Enforcement Board on Nov. 12 found the Park of Valenza apartment complex at 6900 Aruba Avenue in violation of multiple sections of the city code after fire inspector Cleetus Squires presented repeated life‑safety failures across the property. The violations included nonfunctional fire alarm panels, failed sprinkler inspections, expired or missing fire extinguisher certifications, obstructed or uninspected hydrants and cooking devices stored under emergency exit stairways.
Squires told the board the problems date to an initial inspection in May and persist after re‑inspections. “There are 78 residential buildings with individual sprinkler systems; a majority failed their last inspection,” Squires said, adding that some buildings lacked power to panels and that emergency exit routes were compromised by stored grills. He said his reinspection on Nov. 7 confirmed the complex remained out of compliance.
Representatives for the property’s new ownership group acknowledged deferred maintenance and outlined a remediation plan but said the work is substantial. Rob Sylvia, speaking for the owners, said the group signed a contract with a fire‑protection firm and has ordered replacement extinguishers and emergency lighting. “We are investing tens of millions into this property,” Sylvia said, and described plans to start intrusive sprinkler repairs in December that could take 90–120 days to complete in some phases.
John Jones, an ownership representative, said management has been conducting an on‑site ‘‘fire watch’’ and distributing extinguishers, and that contractual issues with legacy vendors slowed immediate repairs. “We want residents to be safe and are prioritizing the life‑safety items,” Jones said.
Board members pressed owners on timetables and enforcement options. The board voted to find the property in violation and ordered the owners to correct the listed violations by Dec. 10, 2025. The board set a composite penalty of $2,000 per day beginning Dec. 10 — explained to the board as $250 per violation per day across eight code sections — and required return reports on progress. The board said owners may ask for an extension but reiterated there is no guarantee one will be granted.
Why it matters: The Park of Valenza contains 776 units, the ownership representatives said; inspectors described occupied buildings with nonfunctional alarms and failed sprinkler systems. The board framed the ruling as an effort to prioritize immediate life‑safety fixes while allowing the owner time to complete complex repairs that require access to individual units.
Next steps: Owners must provide progress updates to city staff and seek additional time only through the formal extension process. If the property is not brought into compliance by Dec. 10, daily fines will begin to accrue.
