Magistrate continues Lantana Holdings tree-removal case; prospective buyer to meet with town

Special Magistrate Amity Barnard on Sept. 17 granted a continuance in two code-enforcement cases against Lantana Holdings LLC concerning alleged unauthorized tree removal and prohibited uses at 16169 Southern Boulevard, resetting the matter to Oct. 6, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Town attorney Mr. Kurtz told the magistrate the town had attempted to schedule meetings with counsel for the property and that an in-person meeting between the parties was set for the coming Tuesday. Kurtz said the town is in the process of recording an affidavit of noncompliance in the public records and requested the continuance to Oct. 6 to allow the parties to attempt further resolution.

Deanna Thomas, lead code compliance officer for the town, testified that the town mailed the continuance notice by certified mail and received signed return cards from the property owner, and that the town posted notice at town hall. Barnard admitted the town's documents as composite exhibit 1 and noted the stipulation agreement that governs the two cases contains a waiver of due-process claims.

Attorney "Mr. German," appearing in the hearing record on behalf of prospective buyer FERF Holdings, agreed to the continuance and said the client anticipates a closing in about 60 days, which he said would reduce the number of owners the town would need to deal with going forward.

Barnard said there was sufficient legal service for the hearing and granted the mutually agreed continuance to Oct. 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. The magistrate instructed the parties to return on that date; the town will proceed with recording the affidavit of noncompliance in the public records in the interim.

The cases are recorded under numbers 23010003 and 23010006, with property-control number 41404336000001020. The town cited a tree removal permit violation and prohibited-use provisions of the ULDC in the notices.