Owner given 90 days to demolish collapsing Cedar Place house after city finding

Anthony Sanders, owner of Sanders Savings LLC, told the Fort Pierce special magistrate that a house at 728 Cedar Place is "not fit for habitation" and that he plans to demolish it.

City building investigator Wilson presented photographs and testified that the structure is collapsing and remains unsecured. "It's the city's request that if the special magistrate finds the violation exists, the violator be given 60 days to obtain a permit... or a fine of $250 per day be assessed," Wilson said while explaining the city's recommendations.

Sanders said he had put up no‑trespassing signs and removed an abandoned vehicle, and he asked the magistrate for additional time because he currently works out of state. "We plan to demo it," Sanders said. He asked first for 180 days but then sought a shorter window to return and oversee the work.

Special Magistrate Burrow declined the 180‑day request and ordered a 90‑day timeline for demolition or permit action, citing the open back door and unsafe condition of the structure and urging expedited remediation. "I invite you to work as quickly as possible to get this rectified," Burrow said.

The city recorded the violations under IPMC and the Florida Building Code and entered photos into evidence; the record notes the owner has appeal rights. The magistrate also advised the owner to coordinate with the building department to schedule inspections once work begins.

Next steps: the building department will reinspect the property under the ordered timeline; if the owner does not comply, the record indicates fines could be assessed and further enforcement pursued.