Apopka's Code Enforcement officers are on the street nearly every day. Most code violations are resolved quickly. Unresolved violations go before a hearing officer. Six Code Enforcement Hearings were scheduled to to be heard yesterday.
According to the Code Enforcement Officer, this property had a deck that is being used for outside storage and has multiple items being stored on it. The Code requires all properties to be maintained in a safe and clean condition. The officer had been in contact with the owner who has stated that his property is in order, but refused to allow the officer to inspect his deck.
This case was closed by the Code Enforcement Officer prior to the hearing.
According the Code Enforcement Officer, this property is a rental house with an overgrown yard, inoperable and untagged vehicles. The fence and garage door are in disrepair. There is also, "junk, trash, tires, materials, miscellaneous items and debris" on the property. The officer says the tenant was given instructions on what to do in order to get property in compliance. There has been no response from the owner or tenant.
The owner did not attend the hearing. The Hearing Officer found the owner in violation and ordered a fine of $250 per day should the violations continue for more than 10 days.
According to the Code Enforcement Officer, this property is in violation of two sections of the Code; Walls and fences are to be maintained in good repair and farm animals, such as chickens and roosters, are not permitted in a residential zone.
The owner attended the hearing and told the Hearing Officer that the roosters had been removed from the property and that a fence had been built. The owner asked if she could keep the chickens. The Hearing Officer stated that chickens were not allowed per the Apopka City Code. The owner was given 30 days to come into compliance or face a fine of $250 per day.
According to the Code Enforcement Officer, this property is in violation of several sections of the Code; there is a vehicle without a valid tag on the property. There are trailers, boats, or recreational vehicles not properly parked (in the rear half of property). Junk and trash is present. Walls and fences shall be maintained in good repair. Finally, major mechanic work, such as changing a car engine, is not permitted in a residential zone.
The owner attended the hearing and told the Hearing Officer that all items had been removed from the property. The Hearing Officer ordered Code Enforcement to verify compliance.
According to the Code Enforcement Officer, conditions on this property violate three sections of the Code; Trailers, boats, recreational vehicles may only be parked in the rear half of the property; Junk and trash cannot be present; nor can non-operational vehicles.
The owner attended the hearing and told the Hearing Officer that the property was now in compliance. The Hearing Officer ordered Code Enforcement to verify compliance.
On September 20, 2016, this property was found to be in violation Sections 302.4 and 308.1 of the Code. The property was overgrown and unkempt. The property was to have been in compliance by October 20, 2016, but was not. Therefore, a $250 per day fine began on October 21, 2016. An Affidavit of Compliance was filed on March 1, 2017. The fine ran for 132 days for a total of $33,000. The Code Enforcement Officer is recommending that the fine be reduced to $3,300, so long as the reduced fine is paid within 30 days. If the reduced fine amount is not paid within 30 days the fine will revert back to $33,000.
The Hearing Officer approved the recommendation of the Code Enforcement Officer and ordered the fine to be reduced, but only if it was paid in full within 30 days.
Use this link to read the entire Code Enforcement Hearing Agenda.
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