Ocala Code Enforcement Board orders compliance, reduces lien and sets deadlines in multiple property cases

Ocala — The City of Ocala Code Enforcement Board on Jan. 8 heard complaints ranging from prohibited signs and expired permits to sinkholes and overgrown lots, issuing compliance orders, setting deadlines and reducing one lien.

Staff member Dale Hollingsworth opened the hearing and presented the first case, CE2051204, against Half Price Mattress of Ocala at 3558 Southwest College Road for repeat placement of temporary-sale signs on utility poles in the state right‑of‑way. Hollingsworth said staff is not seeking monetary fines in this instance but recommended the board find a violation and require continued compliance and payment of a cost-of-prosecution fee of $161.97. Jacqueline Tavari, representing the business, said she apologized and explained she placed signs near Black Friday “due to hardship.” Eddie Ferrentino moved to adopt staff’s recommendation; Shirley Wright seconded and the motion passed with Michael Kreuter recorded as opposing on the record.

The board then took up Case 202310164 (City of Ocala v. Shamrock Cove LLC), an older matter involving building-permit and site-plan requirements at 215 South Pine Avenue. Inspector Jeff Gilbo said an earlier mini-split permit expired and a site permit was reactivated; representative Samuel Rivera provided sworn affidavits and confirmed a new permit application (HAR26-0002) was filed Jan. 6. Staff recommended a compliance date of March 5, 2026 for the site plan and required permits, followed by 90 days from permit issuance to complete the work; the representative accepted that schedule and the board voted to adopt the recommendation.

In an old-business lien case involving Earl and Janice Young (case 20227785), the board heard that the roofing contractor had told the property owners the fines had been handled but the owners did not receive documentation. Citing precedent and the parties’ explanations, board member Michael Kroyda moved to reduce the original fine to $500 plus the hard cost of $166.95 for a total lien of $666.95; the board approved the reduction by voice vote.

Other cases accepted staff recommendations and resulted in compliance orders with set deadlines. Inspector Stephanie Smith reported progress on CE250169 (646 NW 6th St.), and the board set a compliance date of Feb. 5, 2026. For CE25101041 (1130 NE 10th St.), which staff described as a bank‑owned structure with no present intention to repair, the board set a March 5, 2026 compliance date to allow the owner to obtain permits or pursue demolition, after which fines would begin to accrue. The board also approved orders for property-maintenance violations (for example CE251073, CE251182) and environmental cases including ENV250226 (partial bank‑clearing at Berkshire Oaks) and ENV250265 (Dorani Hospitality), the latter noting sinkhole-like depressions on the site that staff said are damaging a neighboring fence and will require contractor remediation.

Staff presented a consent agenda of additional liens and prior noncompliance orders (including CE240042, CE240080, CE240152, CE250159, CE250210, CE251003 and several others); the board accepted the consent agenda and entered the evidence and prior orders into the record. Staff concluded by asking the board to accept all evidence and testimony on file; the board agreed and the city rested. The next hearing was announced for Feb. 12 and the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance (selected outcomes and directives): - Acceptance of minutes (administrative): motion by Kevin Steiner; second by Bruce Gonseth; voice vote approved. - CE2051204 (Half Price Mattress, 3558 SW College Rd.): staff recommendation adopted — find violation, require continued compliance and payment of cost-of-prosecution $161.97; motion by Eddie Ferrentino, second Shirley Wright; recorded opposition by Michael Kreuter. - 202310164 (Shamrock Cove LLC, 215 S Pine Ave.): compliance date set March 5, 2026 for site plan and permits; 90 days to complete work after permit issuance; motion adopted. - 20227785 (Earl & Janice Young lien): fine reduced to $500 + hard cost $166.95 (total $666.95); motion by Michael Kroyda adopted. - CE250169 (Cornell Cox, 646 NW 6th St.): compliance by Feb. 5, 2026; motion adopted. - CE25101041 (Certain Lending Inc., 1130 NE 10th St.): compliance by March 5, 2026 to obtain permits or demolish; fines to accrue thereafter; motion adopted. - ENV250265 (Dorani Hospitality, 3621 W Silver Springs Blvd.): staff recommendation adopted; inspector reported depressions/sinkholes requiring remediation. - Consent agenda (multiple liens and prior orders): accepted and entered into record; motion adopted.

What this means: The board repeatedly relied on staff recommendations, setting uniform compliance dates (notably March 5, 2026 in several permit/dangerous-structure matters) and using reduced liens or cost recovery where staff recommended mitigation rather than immediate fines. Several matters remain contingent on permit issuance or contractor remediation; next procedural step for many cases is staff follow-up to verify permits and inspections by the stated compliance dates.

Quotes and attributions in this report come directly from the hearing record: “I apologize… I put the signs out due to hardship,” said Jacqueline Tavari, the Half Price Mattress representative; Samuel Rivera told the board he brought “sworn affidavits” from the owner in the Shamrock Cove case; Earl Young said he believed the roofing company had handled the fines but he did not receive the documentation.