Builder given 60 days to clear debris or reinstate permits at three Punta Gorda sites

The Punta Gorda Code Enforcement Board on June 19 ordered a local builder to bring multiple properties into compliance within 60 days after officers found remaining concrete debris, overgrown vegetation and unpermitted on-site activity at addresses on Magdalina Drive.

Co‑compliance officer Meredith Actenberg summarized repeated inspections and notices for 2926, 2930 and 2938 Magdalina Drive and for 2601 Magdalina Drive. Actenberg said photos provided at the hearing show building materials and concrete debris at multiple lots and that notice attempts had returned as undeliverable in some cases. For the three properties where violations remain, the board issued cease-and-desist orders, ordered the properties brought into compliance within 60 days and assessed case costs (records show $44.39 for some properties and $6,811 for others where costs were itemized).

The respondent (identified in the hearing record as Mr. Peterson), who said he represents the project, told the board he and his contractor have been engaged with the city for four years and asserted that permit issues were tied to prior city actions. “We’ve been working on this for four years,” the respondent said, explaining that the city initially voided permits and that the city council later granted six months after rezoning to reinstate permits. He asked the board not to penalize him for temporary gravel that, he said, had been used as construction access during rainy months while permits were in limbo.

Punta Gorda building official Ron House told the board the original permits were now void and that, because elevations and code cycles had changed, the properties would ordinarily require a full set of new plans and permits. House said he would grant a one-time extension to the current owner and contractor — but to no subsequent owner — and that any extension would be limited to six months from the last pass inspection. “The permits for these are void,” House told the board, while offering the limited extension because of the particular circumstances affecting these lots.

Board members discussed whether gravel or stone visible at the sites constituted concrete debris; staff said natural stone visible in photos would not be considered construction debris, but concrete would. For properties where work remains, the board ordered owners to remove concrete debris and trim vegetation or, alternatively, obtain required building permits that would allow temporary gravel to remain under a permitted construction activity.

The board also established prima facie cases where appropriate and recorded unanimous votes to find violations and set compliance deadlines and cost payments. Staff said it will coordinate inspections and follow up at the July hearing on compliance status.