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Vargas family disputes county inspections as magistrate schedules order
Summary
During the December hearing, the Vargas/Cunningham family disputed county staff findings about accumulation of junk and home-based business requirements and requested more time; county staff cited multiple neighbor complaints and sought 30 days. The magistrate said a written decision will be issued to parties.
The Vargas and Cunningham family members told the Alachua County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate that they are trying to comply with orders after a complaint led to repeated inspections of their property in Micanopy. Family members said they had removed at least one vehicle and that surveillance video and employee timesheets could substantiate their schedule and operations.
Respondent David Cunningham said the family has attempted to communicate with county staff and asked for clearer guidance about which sections of the home‑based business ordinance applied. "We are trying to become in code. We want to cooperate in full," Cunningham said on the record.
County code staff, citing multiple neighbor complaints and prior site visits, told the magistrate the property remained in violation in several respects and recommended a 30‑day compliance period, with $100 per day fines for continued noncompliance. Staff also said it had provided emails and in-person visits and relayed guidance from the zoning administrator about next steps.
Family members asked for more time—one requested up to 60 days to arrange travel and on-site work by relatives—and urged staff to clarify whether signage is required for the claimed home‑based business. County staff said signage is not mandatory but that the ordinance must be met as a whole, and that additional time could be authorized if staff could verify cooperation.
The magistrate closed the exchange by saying she would issue a written decision that will be mailed or emailed to the parties once the record is reviewed.
