Wellington magistrate orders corrections or daily fines in dozens of code cases; one short extension granted

Special Magistrate Holly Hahn convened the Village of Wellington’s code-enforcement hearings on Dec. 11, 2025, and reviewed roughly two dozen matters ranging from missing foundation plantings and dead swale grass to unpermitted outdoor construction. For most properties, the magistrate ordered owners to correct violations by Jan. 15, 2026, or face daily fines (commonly $25 per day). She entered several five‑year cease‑and‑desist orders and assessed modest administrative costs in each case.

Why it matters: The rulings formalize the village’s timeline for compliance across a broad set of neighborhood and commercial properties, clarifying when fines begin and what follow-up hearings are scheduled. Residents and managers with lingering violations were repeatedly directed to contact the code‑compliance division and planning staff for specific plans or permit guidance.

Most notable outcomes

- Bruce Tooman (752 Lake Wellington Drive) — Code compliance asked the magistrate to confirm that foundation plantings required by the Village’s Land Development Regulation were missing. Tooman said he had placed multiple potted plants but argued planting in the ground would harm utilities, impair a window that serves as a secondary egress and fail because of drainage. He cited NFPA 101 (life‑safety guidance) and his experience as a fire protection engineer. Planning staff (Damien Newell) and code enforcement said they had offered alternatives — including setting plantings back a minimum of 24 inches or placing shrubs elsewhere. The magistrate found the violation…