Collier County code board grants continuances, trims one large fine and orders removals across busy docket

The Collier County Code Enforcement Board on May 22 heard a full docket of permit‑and‑compliance cases, awarding several continuances while affirming that fines will continue to accrue for unresolved violations.

The board began by taking roll and approving a revised agenda before moving through motions for extensions and imposition hearings that ranged from single‑family garage conversions to commercial site‑plan disputes. In a recurring theme, respondents asked for time to resolve permit rejections or to obtain administrative approvals; county staff repeatedly urged faster resubmittals and recommended short, final continuances when delays appeared to be the result of stalled permit activity.

Key outcomes included:

- A six‑month extension for a property with construction started without a final certificate of occupancy; the board granted the additional time after staff said environmental permits had been secured and the respondent had retained contractors. Fines will continue to accrue until final abatement.

- A 180‑day continuance for the Lowe’s South Naples case while an administrative parking reduction and revised SDPI site plan are processed; the continuance passed 3–1. County staff noted prior delays and said fines may be imposed if the matter returns without demonstrated progress.

- A notable reduction in an accumulated fine for property owner Richard McElrath Jr. The board found a violation for unauthorized RV occupancy on a parcel, ordered removal of the remaining RV within 30 days and set a $200/day penalty if not corrected. Separately, after hearing mitigating information and evidence of progress the board reduced previously accrued fines from $44,400 to $1,500 and added required operational fees (total due set at $1,618.77).

- A finding of violation for unpermitted outdoor food preparation and seating at 12275 Collier Boulevard; investigators presented photos documenting activity that ran from August 2024 until it was recently abated. The board recorded the violation to create an enforceable record should the vendor or tenant repeat the activity.

- A 10‑day compliance order for the Commerce Center property at 8845 Davis Boulevard, where commercial buses were repeatedly observed using a private plaza driveway as a de facto stop. Staff presented cease‑and‑desist letters sent to bus companies and photographs of passengers; the board ordered the property owner to abate the use or pursue required approvals and set a $1,000/day fine for noncompliance.

- An order to remove a fence that crosses a 20‑foot county utility easement at 709 Broward Street; the board set a 45‑day compliance deadline and a modest per‑day fine if the owner does not clear the easement, noting road‑maintenance needs.

The meeting also included multiple unilateral stipulations accepted by the board where respondents were not present; these typically required modest operational‑cost payments (about $59) and set 60–120 day deadlines to obtain permits or remove unpermitted work, with per‑day fines for noncompliance.

Throughout the session board members emphasized that while continuances are sometimes appropriate to let permitting processes run their course, the availability of county staff assistance and the repeated nature of some delays mean the board expects demonstrable progress at any follow‑up hearing. Several members urged respondents to rehire or replace engineers whose offices were cited as unresponsive.

What happens next: Most continuances were set with explicit calendar deadlines (commonly 30, 90 or 180 days). Fines in active imposition matters will continue to accrue until the board is provided documentary proof of abatement or the county performs abatement and assesses costs to the owner. Additional hearings were scheduled for next board meetings as needed.