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Code board approves mitigation, assesses $3,000 in fines for two South Atlantic Avenue properties
Summary
The Ponce Inlet Code Enforcement Board found two South Atlantic Avenue properties in compliance with an approved mitigation plan and assessed $1,500 per property (including administrative and per-violation fines), totaling $3,000. The owner told the board she has spent $21,500 so far to remediate the sites.
The Ponce Inlet Code Enforcement Board on Feb. 24 accepted a mitigation plan for two adjacent properties on South Atlantic Avenue and imposed combined fines totaling $3,000.
Code Compliance Manager Mr. Hooker told the board the owners met with staff and obtained an approved mitigation plan on Feb. 18, 2025 that requires each property to receive seven shade trees, seven sea grapes or buttonwoods, and 33 shrubs (cocoa palms or Indian Hawthorns). Plant deliveries began on the meeting day and Mr. Hooker said tree replacement should be completed by the end of the week; the owners have until March 12, 2025 to be in full compliance.
Property owner Boglarka Szollosi, who identified herself as an owner of the properties, apologized to the board and described efforts to remediate the sites. "I am incredibly sorry this happened and am trying to make it right as quickly as possible," Szollosi said. She told the board she has paid $21,500 to date toward remediation.
Board member Ms. Richards moved to find the properties in compliance, assess the $250 administrative fee per property, and assess $250 per violation per property (five violations per property), which the motion described as $1,500 per property and $3,000 total. Mr. Van Valkenburgh seconded. The board approved the motion by a 4–1 vote, with Mr. Michel voting no.
Board members also discussed whether gopher tortoise burrows or turtle nests had been disturbed during prior clearing. Mr. Hooker said hand clearing does not require a tree or turtle survey but earth-moving does, and that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was contacted and could not confirm prior gopher tortoise activity on the lots.
The board’s action applied to Case #2025-039 (4736 South Atlantic Avenue) and Case #2025-046 (4738 South Atlantic Avenue); both properties were listed in the hearing and the board consolidated their adjudication for the decision. The owners were assessed the administrative fees and per-violation fines described above; the board recorded the compliance deadline of March 12, 2025 for completion of the mitigation plan.
