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Magistrate orders removal or permit compliance for unpermitted fence at Pentecostal Tabernacle
Summary
A special magistrate found a fence at Pentecostal Tabernacle installed without a City of Greenacres permit remains in violation and set a 30-day compliance deadline with $100 per day fines thereafter.
Special Magistrate Keith Davis ruled June 17 that a fence installed at Pentecostal Tabernacle International, 6030 Lake Worth Road, remains in violation of Florida building code and ordered compliance within 30 days or daily fines.
Xavier Morales, code compliance coordinator for the City of Greenacres, told the hearing the fence was erected without a city permit and that “a portion of the fence was installed in a location prohibited by the planning and zoning division.” Morales said the city submitted photos, proof of ownership and a notice of violation dated May 5, 2025, with a compliance deadline that was not met.
Pastor Howard Ahrens, representing Pentecostal Tabernacle, said the church had filed a variance application and was told to obtain records from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office as part of the variance process, but later was informed the variance would not be approved. “We filled out the application forms … we were told that the variance is not approved,” Ahrens said.
City planning staff testified the variance application was filed in November 2023, lacked evidence to support approval and was administratively withdrawn. Gianni Galli, assistant planning and zoning director, told the magistrate the city provided comments after a June 10 permit submittal and was awaiting responses showing the portion to be removed on the survey and fence-detail information required by the building department.
The magistrate found proper notice had been provided and that the property remains in violation of Florida building code 105.1. He adopted the city’s recommendation, setting a 30-day compliance deadline and imposing daily fines of $100 per day after that date if the prohibited portion is not removed or otherwise brought into compliance. The magistrate said he would sign the order.
The order does not resolve whether the city will permit any other portion of the fence; city staff said they would review permit paperwork once the contractor or owner submits the requested survey and fence details.
