Lakeland Code Enforcement Board orders fines, continues cases after Feb. 25 hearing

The City of Lakeland Code Enforcement Board on Feb. 25, 2025, reviewed a slate of property enforcement matters and accepted staff recommendations in most cases, imposing daily fines where violations remained and continuing or dismissing others according to signed summary dispositions.

Board members voted to impose recurring fines and set compliance deadlines in cases including a housing-violation matter at 517 Lake Avenue North, open-storage and debris cases, and a permit-violation matter at 2408 Derbyshire Avenue. Code enforcement officers presented photos and inspection histories for each matter and recommended administrative actions ranging from dismissal to daily fines of $30 to $50 until compliance is achieved.

Daniel Povey, a City of Lakeland code enforcement officer, told the board that photos from Feb. 18 show violations remain at 517 Lake Avenue North and recommended a $50-per-day fine effective Dec. 5, 2024, until the property is brought into compliance. Rolando Rosado, pastor and representative of the property, said the congregation has completed about 85% of repairs and that the remaining work is cosmetic, and asked the board for additional time, citing storm damage and limited funding. The board accepted staff’s recommendation, and members said they would review any request for a reduction once the property is completed.

In another case, Officer Povey said recliners and other interior furniture were being stored on the front porch at 2302 Crystal Lake Drive South; staff recommended compliance by March 7 or a $50-per-day fine. Owner Listy Seville said she believed her placement met setback requirements and had previously experienced a language barrier at an earlier hearing. Officers clarified that interior recliners cannot be stored outside; the board directed the owner to remove the chairs and call staff when they are inside.

Charles McClellan reported continued open storage of tires at 445 Wabash Avenue North and recommended a $30-per-day fine effective Feb. 6, 2025. Helen Deloach said the household has worked to reduce tires since hurricane damage, but that the city discontinued free pickups and commercial haulers charge substantially more; the board accepted the staff recommendation and staff said fines could be reduced following full compliance.

Joey Brownlow presented a permit-violation case at 2408 Derbyshire Avenue, citing Florida Building Code 105.1 for work done without a permit. Property owner Terrence Renshaw William Sr told the board his architect who had been preparing plans had died and that new plans are being prepared; building-division staff confirmed plans submitted Jan. 17 were disapproved and that a permit application must be resubmitted and approved to close the case. The board voted to impose the recommended $30-per-day fine until a permit is issued; staff said they will close the case and consider a fine reduction after permit issuance.

Several other matters were handled with routine motions: the board continued case LCE24-04267 (708 New York Avenue North) to April 22, 2025; accepted a reduced settlement for a derelict-vehicle violation at 1610 Saint Anthony Street after the owner achieved compliance; and dismissed cases including LCE24-06391 (1928 Kendrick Lane) and LCA24-06600 (5217 Orange Avenue North) with no fines. The board also approved a series of procedural motions to deny reconsideration for respondents who did not appear (unless a signed summary disposition exists), to impose fines in specified groups of cases where respondents did not appear and are not in compliance, and to adopt all signed summary dispositions listed on the agenda.

Board members repeatedly emphasized that payment or permit issuance and subsequent confirmation to staff are the steps required to close cases and that staff will evaluate the potential for fine reductions after compliance is confirmed. Several property representatives noted hurricane-related delays and higher private-hauler costs for debris and tire removal; staff and board members said those factors would be considered when compliance is achieved but do not negate enforcement while violations remain.

The board adjourned after adopting the recommended dispositions and scheduling continued hearings where needed.