Fort Pierce special magistrate grants multiple permit extensions and reduces liens at Nov. 13 hearing

Special Magistrate Jamie Burrow on Nov. 13 ordered several Fort Pierce property owners to obtain permits or face fines and approved a lien reduction and payment plan for one respondent.

Burrow opened the regular special‑magistrate hearing and accepted the city’s evidence in a series of cases involving unpermitted work, demolition and overdue permits. In one of the first matters, the magistrate found that Sun State Homebuyers LLC had engaged in unpermitted interior/exterior demolition and unpermitted plumbing work at 1303 North 24th Street and ordered the owner to obtain required permits within 60 days or face a $250‑per‑day fine. City building inspector Logan Wynn presented photographs and testified about visible demolition and a new sewer cleanout that lacked permitting.

Why it matters: The rulings enforce local permitting rules and set deadlines that protect public safety, ensure building‑code compliance and preserve the city’s ability to collect fines if respondents do not cure violations.

Key outcomes at a glance: - BV2025‑00150 (1303 North 24th St., Sun State Homebuyers LLC): magistrate found a violation exists; 60 days to obtain permits and inspections; $250/day fine if not cured. (Magistrate finding issued Nov. 13.) - 24‑11717 (108 South Eighth St., Marco Gonanez / Sylvia Martinez): accrual of fines stayed for 30 days to allow an architect/engineer inspection and final inspections. (Stay entered Nov. 13.) - 24‑78725 (510 South Ocean Dr., Pie Hole LLC / Pie Hole Wood Fired Pizza): staff recommended, and Burrow granted, a 180‑day stay of accrual while the parties pursue permitting and site‑plan review; tenant representatives said they would remove unpermitted mobile buildings. (Stay entered Nov. 13.) - 24‑1196‑12 (SP Pine Creek Village LP): 60‑day extension granted while the project completes fire and permit review. (Extension entered Nov. 13.) - Cases 8A–8D (429 North 20th St., Sharon Johnson): Burrow found extenuating circumstances, reduced the four liens to administrative costs totaling $6,027.40, and allowed Johnson 12 months to pay; if not paid in full the amounts revert to the original higher totals. (Lien reductions and payment condition entered Nov. 13.) - BV2024‑00055 & BV2024‑00056 (209 N. 9th St. & 903 Avenue B, Kenneth Kennard): a 90‑day extension was granted with the ability to request further administrative extensions upon demonstrated progress. (Order entered Nov. 13.) - BV2025‑00120 & BV2025‑00121 (510 N. 21st St. Units A & B): court found unpermitted AC replacements and ordered 60 days to obtain permits and required inspections or face $250/day fines. (Order entered Nov. 13.)

City staff repeatedly noted that permitting and site‑plan reviews can extend for months depending on engineering and fire reviews, and several orders included explicit language allowing administrative or subsequent extensions if applicants show progress. Respondents were notified of their 30‑day appeal rights where applicable.

Quotes from the hearing capture the tenor of the session. Magistrate Jamie Burrow told one respondent, "This court does find that a violation does exist," when entering the 60‑day order. Tenant Wade Watson of Pie Hole Wood Fired Pizza described the plan to resolve violations: "We're gonna remove all of the mobile buildings, the sea container and the 2 mobile sheds." Sharon Johnson, whose liens were reduced, told the magistrate she had demolished a fire‑damaged property and "the smartest thing was to just clear the land and just demo it."

What happens next: The orders require respondents to apply for and obtain permits, schedule and pass required inspections, and either pay reduced administrative amounts where set or face reinstatement of higher fines if payment or compliance deadlines lapse. Parties have statutory appeal windows noted on the record. The hearing concluded with the clerk reciting notice and posting procedures and the magistrate adjourning the session.