Magistrate orders cleanup at Bruce Terrace property, warns of fines and liens

The Martin County special magistrate ordered property owners Glenn Peter Cottis and Robert M. Hoffman Jr. to bring the property at 7398 Southeast Bruce Terrace in Hobe Sound into compliance by July 31, 2026 after code compliance investigator Michael Shanahan testified to multiple violations.

Shanahan said his March 31, 2026 inspection showed inoperable vehicles, trash and debris, a damaged/leaning fence and high weeds; he entered photographs as County exhibits. He told the magistrate that weeds had been corrected but inoperable vehicles and debris remained. He also testified that he posted notices on June 1 after certified-return receipts were not returned and that he has been in contact with owner Glenn Cottis about cleanup activity and an intended partial sale of the property.

Based on Shanahan's testimony and submitted exhibits, Magistrate Gemma Torcivia found the county had established code violations by a preponderance of the evidence and ordered compliance by July 31, 2026. Torcivia authorized assessment of $575 in administrative costs and warned that a $100-per-violation-per-day fine would accrue for ongoing noncompliance; unpaid fines and costs would become a lien and could be enforced under Chapter 162, Florida Statutes.

No respondents were present at the hearing for this matter. The magistrate received the county exhibits into evidence and entered the order.