Code Enforcement Board finds Winter Springs property in violation, gives owner until April 30 to comply

The Winter Springs Code Enforcement Board on Tuesday found the property at 535 Saddlewood Lane in violation of local ordinances for abandoned and unregistered vehicles, accumulation of auto parts and debris, and overgrown vegetation, and ordered the owner to bring the property into compliance by April 30.

Inspector Carlos Defoe, who presented the case as staff evidence in case number 2026CE000065, said his inspections showed two vehicles in the driveway — one without displayed registration and jack stands under at least one vehicle — along with scattered auto parts, litter and overgrowth extending into the public easement. "Staff recommends the code enforcement board find the property in violation and the property brought to compliance," Defoe said during his presentation.

Respondent Kevin West, who identified himself at the hearing as the resident at 535 Saddlewood Lane, told the board he had made some improvements but acknowledged the property was not yet fully compliant. "To be honest, I have nothing to really argue here. I have made some improvements, but probably not enough that would satisfy the board," West said, adding that financial constraints and single-parent responsibilities limited his ability to complete repairs quickly.

Board members asked whether the matter should be treated as a repeat violation; staff said the property had an earlier case under the International Property Maintenance Code that was corrected, but the present citations were filed under different Winter Springs code sections. After discussion, a board member moved to find the owner in violation of Winter Springs Ordinance 12-5-3 (abandonment of motor vehicles prohibited) and Winter Springs Ordinance 13-2 (subsections b and c, prohibitions) and to set a compliance deadline of April 30. The motion set a monetary penalty of $50 per violation per day if the violations are not verified as corrected by the city code enforcement officer.

The board noted there are three separate violations on the record; the chair clarified that fines are assessed per violation, so unresolved items could lead to cumulative daily penalties. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Inspector Defoe had recommended a shorter compliance window in his presentation but the board extended the deadline to April 30 to give the resident additional time; board members also advised West to coordinate directly with the enforcement officer so staff and the resident agree when the property meets the code standard.

The board approved corrected minutes from its Feb. 24 meeting and agreed to schedule training for new members at the April meeting. With no further business, the acting chair adjourned the session.

Next steps: The respondent must address the violations and have corrections verified by city code enforcement by April 30 to avoid daily fines.