Special magistrate grants lien reduction, sets compliance timelines in May Alachua County code-enforcement hearing
May 02, 2024 | Alachua County, Florida
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The Alachua County code-enforcement special magistrate held a May 2024 hearing addressing multiple alleged property-code violations and requests for lien relief. The magistrate granted a 100% reduction of a county lien in one matter and set compliance periods or continued other cases pending further action.
Diana Johnson, senior assistant county attorney, opened the hearing and described each matter brought by county code administration. County officers presented evidence and recommended deadlines and fines: for example, Officer Kelly Poirier told the magistrate the county recommended 30 days for homeowner Heidi Reinhart to remove an unpermitted shed or obtain a building permit, with fines of $100 per day and $490 in county costs if she did not comply. "The recommendation of the county is to provide this respondent with 30 days to either remove the unpermitted structure or to obtain the necessary permit," Poirier said.
In a separate property matter, Poirier said the county had cited Sydney and Patrick Albritton for accumulation of junk, unserviced vehicles and a deteriorated fence and recommended 30 days to comply and a $75-per-day fine plus $280 in county costs. The magistrate heard no appearance from the owners in that case and proceeded after the county's presentation.
Greta Moreau, a county code officer, described a long-running dangerous-structure case involving Loomis and Jackie Rollins, stating inspections showed a hazardous structure that had been the subject of prior demolition permits. Loomis Rollins testified he has faced family deaths and financial strains and said he is trying to secure a contractor and renew a demolition permit. The magistrate acknowledged those efforts and said he would allow an extended compliance period as the respondent secures demolition and permits.
Officer Natasha Washington presented the case against property owner Robert N. Sanford for nuisance overgrowth and for parking a box truck on the property. Dan Stanford, the owner's brother, said Sanford lives out of state and is dealing with health issues, and that they were working to remove the truck so remediation could proceed.
On a request for lien reduction (case SM22-035), attorney Carolyn Budnick asked the magistrate to reduce the lien 100% for a property owned by an incarcerated son so the father could close on a sale to first-time buyers. Budnick said the buyers' rate lock was at risk and the closing was scheduled that day. County counsel said the lien balance at the time of noncompliance was roughly $5,310 and expressed no objection to a reduction but could not stipulate to a full release. The magistrate granted a 100% reduction of the lien, leaving only the administrative fee (which Budnick said had already been paid), to allow the sale to proceed. "I'm gonna grant you a 100% reduction because . . . the property will go back on the tax rolls," the magistrate said.
The magistrate set or confirmed compliance windows in several matters. In cases where respondents had demonstrated active efforts to secure permits or contractors, the magistrate indicated additional time (magistrate comment: "I'm gonna give you 90 days" where appropriate) and encouraged respondents to stay in contact with the assigned code officer so the compliance clock can be paused once legitimate permit applications and active work are initiated. One contested matter was continued to the June hearing at the respondent's request.
The hearing included routine administrative items, staff sworn to testify, and a brief recognition of the hearing secretary's retirement after two decades of service. The magistrate said a written decision or order would follow where required and that respondents would be notified by mail of final rulings or fines. The hearing record shows county officers seeking daily fines ranging from $50 to $100 in unresolved matters and county cost-claims from $280 to $490 depending on the case.
The magistrate closed the session after scheduling and administrative items and confirming staff coverage for upcoming months while the office arranges a replacement for the retiring secretary.
Diana Johnson, senior assistant county attorney, opened the hearing and described each matter brought by county code administration. County officers presented evidence and recommended deadlines and fines: for example, Officer Kelly Poirier told the magistrate the county recommended 30 days for homeowner Heidi Reinhart to remove an unpermitted shed or obtain a building permit, with fines of $100 per day and $490 in county costs if she did not comply. "The recommendation of the county is to provide this respondent with 30 days to either remove the unpermitted structure or to obtain the necessary permit," Poirier said.
In a separate property matter, Poirier said the county had cited Sydney and Patrick Albritton for accumulation of junk, unserviced vehicles and a deteriorated fence and recommended 30 days to comply and a $75-per-day fine plus $280 in county costs. The magistrate heard no appearance from the owners in that case and proceeded after the county's presentation.
Greta Moreau, a county code officer, described a long-running dangerous-structure case involving Loomis and Jackie Rollins, stating inspections showed a hazardous structure that had been the subject of prior demolition permits. Loomis Rollins testified he has faced family deaths and financial strains and said he is trying to secure a contractor and renew a demolition permit. The magistrate acknowledged those efforts and said he would allow an extended compliance period as the respondent secures demolition and permits.
Officer Natasha Washington presented the case against property owner Robert N. Sanford for nuisance overgrowth and for parking a box truck on the property. Dan Stanford, the owner's brother, said Sanford lives out of state and is dealing with health issues, and that they were working to remove the truck so remediation could proceed.
On a request for lien reduction (case SM22-035), attorney Carolyn Budnick asked the magistrate to reduce the lien 100% for a property owned by an incarcerated son so the father could close on a sale to first-time buyers. Budnick said the buyers' rate lock was at risk and the closing was scheduled that day. County counsel said the lien balance at the time of noncompliance was roughly $5,310 and expressed no objection to a reduction but could not stipulate to a full release. The magistrate granted a 100% reduction of the lien, leaving only the administrative fee (which Budnick said had already been paid), to allow the sale to proceed. "I'm gonna grant you a 100% reduction because . . . the property will go back on the tax rolls," the magistrate said.
The magistrate set or confirmed compliance windows in several matters. In cases where respondents had demonstrated active efforts to secure permits or contractors, the magistrate indicated additional time (magistrate comment: "I'm gonna give you 90 days" where appropriate) and encouraged respondents to stay in contact with the assigned code officer so the compliance clock can be paused once legitimate permit applications and active work are initiated. One contested matter was continued to the June hearing at the respondent's request.
The hearing included routine administrative items, staff sworn to testify, and a brief recognition of the hearing secretary's retirement after two decades of service. The magistrate said a written decision or order would follow where required and that respondents would be notified by mail of final rulings or fines. The hearing record shows county officers seeking daily fines ranging from $50 to $100 in unresolved matters and county cost-claims from $280 to $490 depending on the case.
The magistrate closed the session after scheduling and administrative items and confirming staff coverage for upcoming months while the office arranges a replacement for the retiring secretary.
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