Flagler Beach special magistrate reduces fines, requires outreach after parking appeals; building violation dismissed

The Flagler Beach City special magistrate on April 22 heard a series of parking-citation appeals and code-enforcement matters, reducing fines in two parking cases, ordering community-education steps for appellants and dismissing a trustee’s building violation after review of permit records.

Brian Gardner, a Palm Coast resident, appealed a March 6 citation for parking the wrong direction. Gardner told the magistrate, “I’m just sorry that it happened, and I’m really just asking for leniency.” The magistrate said Gardner’s vehicle placement could have constituted multiple moving violations and, while not issuing moving-offense charges, reduced the $100 fine by 50 percent, assessed $9.60 in administrative mailing costs (totaling $59.60) and required Gardner to speak with 20 licensed drivers and submit a form documenting those conversations within 60 days.