Loxahatchee Groves increases code enforcement on Okeechobee and pauses site-triangle citations while ULDC is reviewed

Loxahatchee Groves — Town staff on Feb. 3 told the council they are stepping up enforcement against long-standing illegal commercial activity on parcels along Okeechobee Boulevard and on lettered roads, and the council temporarily paused enforcement of the site-triangle rule while the town’s Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) is revised.

Ramsey Bulkley, who is leading the town’s ramped-up code work, told the council he and staff have "probably sent out today roughly about 10 pretty large, notice of violations" and described a range of commercial activities — tractor-trailer parking, illegal clearing, storage and other uses on parcels classified as single-family or vacant. He said staff is preparing case material for magistrate hearings where necessary and that, for certain life-safety or potential environmental threats (for example, leaking fluids on unprotected ground), the town can act more quickly.

Council members pressed staff on high-profile examples. One council member cited a case where a property allegedly installed five gas tanks without approval; staff responded that the town is compiling approvals and historical records and expects to present that material for action in the near term. Bulkley and community-standards director Karen said the town can pursue fines, site-plan reviews, or, in extreme cases, administrative remedies that could lead to foreclosure if a property has been operated far outside the scope of prior approvals.

Separately, the council debated enforcement of the site-triangle (line-of-sight) standard, which residents said is creating unfair compliance burdens where roads were widened and driveways now abut pavement. After public comment and ULDC committee input, Councilmember (speaker 5) moved to suspend enforcement of the site-triangle rule until the ULDC completes a review and the council acts; the motion was seconded and carried 5–0.

Town attorney Jeffrey Kurtz reminded the council that giving formal direction is typically done by motion at a public meeting; the suspension vote constituted the council’s direction on enforcement practice until the code changes are brought forward. Staff cautioned that enforcement timelines vary by property — some cases can be resolved quickly if owners comply, while complex cases involving legal challenges or extensive historical approvals may take months to years. Ramifications could include magistrate citations, fines, or corrective orders; staff said they are prioritizing life-safety and environmental risks.

What happens next: Code staff will continue investigations and issue notices of violation where supported by the record. The ULDC committee will review proposed line-of-sight language; the council suspended active enforcement until the code update is complete and the council takes further action.