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Service member cites deployment as reason for hazardous-tree violation; board orders 3-day compliance window
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Summary
A Palm Coast property owner said recent deployment and financial strain delayed removal of hazardous trees; the board found a violation under the hazardous-tree code, gave three days to correct the hazard or face $100-per-day fines, and noted the city cannot legally extend hazard deadlines.
At the Jan. 7 City of Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board meeting, the board heard a hazardous-tree case at 13 Barrington Drive and imposed a short compliance window set by code.
Supervisor Louis Mendez presented the city's evidence and said the current notice had been issued in October and reinspections show the hazard remained. The city recommended Motion C: find violation and give three days to comply or impose a $100-per-day fine until the property is brought into compliance, plus administrative costs.
The respondent, Alfonso Rafael Martinez, told the board he had been on deployment earlier in 2025 and only recently returned to find city notices. "I was on deployment from April 6 to 10/09/2025," Martinez said, and he told the board he had contacted a contractor to provide an estimate and remove the trees. Board members and staff discussed whether the city could legally extend the deadline for hazardous conditions; staff noted the city cannot grant extensions for hazardous-tree orders. The board approved the city's recommended order with the three-day compliance requirement.
The board instructed code staff to verify compliance after the contractor's work and to provide appeal instructions if the owner seeks to contest the order after remedying the hazard. The decision is an enforcement action under established city code and does not change municipal policy.
