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Board Orders Mitigation, Sets Deadlines After Clear‑cutting of Two South Atlantic Lots
Summary
The Code Enforcement Board found two adjoining vacant lots at 4736 and 4738 South Atlantic Avenue were cleared beyond permit scope, assessed $250 administrative fees for each lot, and ordered owners to meet staff by Jan. 31 and complete mitigation within 30 days or face $250 per‑violation per‑day fines; potential fines up to $5,000 per property for turtle disturbance were noted.
The Town of Ponce Inlet Code Enforcement Board on Jan. 27 consolidated hearings for two adjoining vacant lots at 4736 and 4738 South Atlantic Avenue and found work was performed beyond the scope of the approved permit.
Code Compliance Manager Hooker presented photographs and permit records that showed the properties had been clear‑cut rather than hand‑removed as permitted; he said the use of earth‑moving equipment would have required additional surveys, including a turtle survey. Resident Christopher Pulver testified he has 'witnessed turtles on the properties in question at least 15 times during the eight years he has lived there.' Owner Boglarka Szollosi, sworn in at the hearing, said she and her husband 'wanted the peppers removed' and that they 'were not there when the work was done' and have been trying to make the situation right.
After hearing staff and resident testimony, the board found both properties in non‑compliance, assessed the $250 administrative fee for each lot, and gave the owners until Jan. 31, 2025 to discuss a mitigation plan with staff and 30 days to complete the mitigation plan for each property or face fines of $250 per violation per day. The board also preserved the option to consider fines up to $5,000 per property if irreversible damage to gopher tortoise burrows (listed in town code) is determined. The motion passed 5‑0.
