The Town of Lake Clarke Shores Code Enforcement Board voted Dec. 4 to dismiss case 24-0246 after staff and building officials confirmed the property had come into compliance.

Eric Richwagon, code enforcement officer, told the board that the property associated with case 24-0246 had completed permitting and a final inspection, and that the town’s building staff had assisted the surviving family member in pulling the necessary permits. The town asked the board to terminate fines that had accrued while the property was out of compliance, citing the owner’s recent death and subsequent family health and financial hardships.

Board members debated whether to waive the total fines — which board discussion referenced at about $24,500 as the running amount — or to reduce the charge to a nominal penalty. One board member argued for a humanitarian waiver given the family’s circumstances and that the accessory unit was now permitted and passed inspection; another member said it would be difficult to waive such a large fine without precedent and proposed a reduced civil penalty of $400, which failed for lack of a second.

A motion finding the respondent in compliance with sections of the town code and dismissing the case without prejudice was made, seconded and approved by the board. The dismissal means the board removed the enforcement action from its docket but left the question of any administrative cost recovery or other town processes to staff and council follow-up.

The board’s action was tied to the building department’s confirmation that the accessory structure met applicable code and had a final inspection date in late November. The town’s staff reiterated they helped the family with permit paperwork and that only the permit fee had been collected; any remaining administrative calculations or adjustments to the running fines will be handled by staff following the board’s dismissal.

The board carried the motion to dismiss without a roll-call vote listing individual member votes in the transcript. The case was dismissed without prejudice and the board adjourned to the next items on the agenda.