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Special magistrate orders permits, repairs timeline for Fort Pierce Haitian United Methodist Church
Summary
The special magistrate found code violations at 735 Orange Ave and ordered the church to obtain a building permit within 30 days; staff set a further 30‑day clock for pressure washing and painting after final inspection. Pastor Amos Adhemar said a permit application (CBLD202400259) was recently filed and termite work is complete.
The Fort Pierce special magistrate ruled Oct. 2 that the Fort Pierce Haitian United Methodist Church at 735 Orange Avenue is in violation of property‑maintenance codes and must obtain a building permit within 30 days and complete cosmetic work soon after final inspection.
City code enforcement staff moved dated photographs into evidence and asked the magistrate to require the church to pressure‑wash and paint discolored areas and to repair or replace rotting trim, soffits, overhangs and window frames. Failure to comply, staff said, would trigger fines of $250 per day. Heather Debevec, presenting the city's case, recommended that the 30‑day compliance clock for painting start after the building permit is closed following required repairs and final inspection.
Pastor Amos Adhemar, who identified himself as pastor of the congregation, told the panel that termite remediation has been completed and that he recently submitted a building permit application to replace rotten soffit. "The permit number is CBLD202400259," Adhemar said, and added that congregational volunteers and on‑site workers were ready to carry out repairs once the permit process finished. He asked for additional time to finish both structural repairs and subsequent painting; staff said it would permit extensions if problems arise during the permit process.
The special magistrate found that the violations cited (including IPMC 304.2 and IPMC 304.1 exterior‑structure requirements) exist and ordered the respondent to obtain the required building permit within 30 days. After staff closes the permit following final inspection of repairs, the church will have an additional 30 days to complete pressure washing and painting. The order includes the standard right to appeal within 30 days and warns of daily fines for noncompliance.
The magistrate urged continued communication between the church and code‑enforcement staff and said staff could grant extensions before fines are assessed. The city recommended contacting Officer Bevick for assistance with scheduling inspections and any needed extensions.
The case will be monitored by city staff and is subject to review if compliance is not timely.
