CEB Minutes 11/29/2012 R November 29, 2012
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT BO ' P1 it wi i r
Naples, Florida, November 29, 2012 � V
MAR 1 7013
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County ( d ...................y
Enforcement Board, in and for the County of Collier, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m., in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government
Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members
present:
CHAIRMAN: Robert Kaufman
Gerald Lefebvre
met Kenneth Kelly
District 3 James Lavinski
District 3
District a Larry Mieszcak
'° ` -- Lionel L'Esperance
Ronald Doino, Jr. (Alternate)
Chris Hudson (Alternate)
Tony Marino (Absent)
ALSO PRESENT:
Diane Flagg, Code Enforcement Director
Misc.Corres:
Jennifer Baker, Code Enforcement
Jean Rawson, Attorney to the Board Date:
Item#:
Page 1 copies to:
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: November 29,2012
Location: 3299 Tamiami Trail East,Naples,FL 34104
NOTICE: THE RESPONDENT MAY BE LIMITED TO TWENTY (20) MINUTES FOR CASE
PRESENTATION UNLESS ADDITIONAL TIME IS GRANTED BY THE BOARD. PERSONS WISHING
TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM WILL RECEIVE UP TO FIVE (5) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS
ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
ALL PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE ROBERTS
RULES OF ORDER AND SPEAK ONE AT A TIME SO THAT THE COURT REPORTER CAN RECORD
ALL STATEMENTS BEING MADE.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A
VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE
TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. NEITHER COLLIER
COUNTY NOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING
THIS RECORD.
1. ROLL CALL
Robert Kaufman, Chair Lionel L' Esperance
Gerald Lefebvre,Vice Chair Tony Marino
Kenneth Kelly Ronald Doino Jr.,Alternate
James Lavinski Chris Hudson,Alternate
Larry Mieszcak
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—
A. October 25,2012
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MOTIONS
A. MOTIONS
Motion for Re-Hearing
1. Kirk N. Sanders
CESD20100007042
Motion for Extension of Time
1. Sean King Tr. CEVR20110002999
B. STIPULATIONS
C. HEARINGS
1. CASE NO: CEOCC20120002338
OWNER: ROBERT E.&COLLEEN ROSSOMANDO
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JEFF IETOURNEAU
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
2.02.03 AND THE COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,
CHAPTER 126,ARTICLE IV, SECTION 126-111(b)OPERATING AN INN-TYPE BUSINESS
ON THIS ESTATES ZONED PROPERTY.NO COLLIER COUNTY BUSINESS TAX
RECEIPT OBTAINED FOR SUCH USE.
FOLIO NO: 36661320009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4641 5th AVE NW NAPLES,FL 34119
2. CASE NO: CESD20120004933
OWNER: IRVIN M.&BEVERLY J.JACKSON
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41,AS AMENDED SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i)NO COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS
FOR ENCLOSED BOTTOM FLOOR OF A STILT HOME AND ADDING LIVING SPACE
WITH A BATHROOM AND AN ADDITION OF A GAME ROOM,DEN AND BATHROOM
FOLIO NO: 40680520009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3210 4TH AVE.NE.NAPLES,FL 34120
3. CASE NO: CESD20120008679
OWNER: TERRY J.KRAMER
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR CHRIS AMBACH
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)PERMIT#2006014872 FOR A STEEL BUILDING AND PERMIT#
2004080864 FOR A POOL AND ELECTRIC HAVE BOTH EXPIRED WITHOUT ALL
REQUIRED INSPECTIONS AND THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION/
OCCUPANCY
FOLIO NO: 37014480003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 825 11TH ST. SW.NAPLES,FL 34117
4. CASE NO: CEVR20120008514
OWNER: TERRY J. KRAMER
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR DAVID JONES
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
3.05.08(C)PRESENCE OF COLLIER COUNTY PROHIBITED EXOTIC VEGETATION
FOLIO NO: 37014480003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 825 11TH ST. SW.NAPLES,FL 34117
5. CASE NO: CEPM20120007062
OWNER: FRANK MOOTISPAW
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 22,ARTICLE VI,
SECTION 22-236 HOUSE SEVERLY DAMAGED BY FIRE
FOLIO NO: 309560005
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1180 SUGARBERRY ST.NAPLES,FL 34117
6. CASE NO: CELU20120011611
OWNER: OLD BARN,INC.
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVE ATHEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
1.04.01(A)AND 2.02.03 PROHIBITED USE OF PROPERTY ZONED COMMERCIAL
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT(PUD)
FOLIO NO: 23596009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 2879 ORANGE BLOSSOM DR.NAPLES,FL 34109
7. CASE NO: CEPM20120011612
OWNER: OLD BARN,INC.
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVE ATHEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS, CHAPTER 22,ARTICLE VI, SECTION 22-234(3)
BUILDING OFFICIAL HAS DEEMED STRUCTURE DANGEROUS
FOLIO NO: 235960009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 2879 ORANGE BLOSSOM DR.NAPLES,FL 34109
8. CASE NO: CESD20120006927
OWNER: JORGE L.MENDEZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i)PERMITTED GARAGE TURNED INTO LIVING
SPACE WITH A FULL BATH AND A KITCHEN WITHOUT COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING
PERMITS
FOLIO NO: 40935360008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3320 2ND AVE SE.NAPLES,FL 34117
9. CASE NO: CEPM20120013078
OWNER: JORGE L. MENDEZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,ARTICLE VI, CHAPTER 22,
SECTION 22-242 VACANT HOME WITH A SCREEN ENCLOSURE AND SWIMMING
POOL HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY A FIRE AND HAS NO ROOF
FOLIO NO: 40935360008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3320 2ND AVE SE.NAPLES,FL 34117
10. CASE NO: CESD20120006147
OWNER: JOSSE L.PEREZ(AKA JOSE M.PEREZ)&ISABEL PEREZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR CHRIS AMBACH
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AN UNPERMITTED WINDOW ADDED TO THE GARAGE ALONG WITH
A LARGE HOLE IN THE GARAGE WALL WITH AN A/C UNIT WITHIN
FOLIO NO: 37221090008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 110 WILSON BLVD. S.NAPLES,FL 34117
11. CASE NO: CESD20120012127
OWNER: GREGORY LYNN THOMPSON&MISTY LOU THOMPSON
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR CHRIS AMBACH
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)A HISTORICALLY PERMITTED STEEL BUILDING IN THE REAR YARD
NOW MISSING WALLS AND DOORS AND COMPLETELY ALTERED FROM IT'S
ORIGINALLY PERMITTED STATE
FOLIO NO: 36960760001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 181 23RD ST. SW.NAPLES,FL 34117
12. CASE NO: CESD20120008800
OWNER: MARIA A. LEIVA
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i)CARPORT STRUCTURE WITH SLAB BUILT ON
THE BACK OF THE ESTATES ZONED PROPERTY AND AN OVERHANG ADDED TO
THE BACK WEST SIDE OF THE PRINCIPLE STRUCTURE AND THE BACK OF THE
EAST SIDE OF THE PRINCIPLE STRUCTURE
FOLIO NO: 41042120004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3525 12TH AVE. SE.NAPLES,FL 34117
13. CASE NO: CESD20120001674
OWNER: RAYMOND M.STONEBRIDGE&CHRISTINE M.STONEBRIDGE
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR CHRIS AMBACH
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AND FLORIDA BUILDING CODE,2010 EDITION, SECTION 105.1
SEVERAL UNPERMITTED STRUCTURES,DECKING, SCREENED LANAI,POOL/SPA
AND WOODEN FENCING ON THE PROPERTY
FOLIO NO: 37547360001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 211 14TH AVE.NW.NAPLES,FL 34120
14. CASE NO: CESD20120004200
OWNER: MILLARD&DENISE SHORETTE
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i)2 SHEDS CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT COLLIER
COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS
FOLIO NO: 41280520000
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 2626 20TH AVE SE NAPLES,FL 34117
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Motion for Imposition of Fines/Liens
1. CASE NO: CESD20100003739
OWNER: COLLIER REALTY CORP
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR WELDON WALKER
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)COOLER/STORAGE CONSTRUCTED/ATTACHED TO BUILDING
PRIOR TO OBTAINING COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS
FOLIO NO: 63863840004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 101 NEW MARKET ROAD. E. IMMOKALEE,FL 34142
2. CASE NO: CESD20110003049
OWNER: THOMAS P. SMITH
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR SHERRY PATTERSON
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)GARAGE CONVERSION,LARGE STRUCTURE AND FENCE ON THE
PROPERTY WITH NO VALID COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS
FOLIO NO: 40622180009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 2461 4TH AVE.NE.NAPLES, FL 34120
3. CASE NO: CENA20120006825
OWNER: GWENDOLYN GREEN
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 54,ARTICLE VI,
SECTION 54-181 LITTER CONSISTING OF,BUT NOT LIMITED TO,REFUSE,CLOTHES,
BOXES,ASSORTED METALS,PLASTICS AND WOOD, TIRES,ETC.
FOLIO NO: 41044640003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3675 10TH AVE. SE.NAPLES, FL 34117
4. CASE NO: CEVR20110014528
OWNER: LEON D. &JOAN MCCASKEY
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR DAVID JONES
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 54,ARTICLE VI,
SECTION 54-185(c)PRESENCE OF COLLIER COUNTY PROHBITED EXOTIC
VEGETATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BRAZILIAN PEPPER,AIR POTATO,
DOWNY ROSE MYRTLE, WITHIN A 200' RADIUS OF AN IMPROVED PROPERTY
FOLIO NO: 75460840000
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1335 CENTER LANE NAPLES,FL 34110
5. CASE NO: CENA20120003516
OWNER: STEVEN J.MARTARANO
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 54,ARTICLE VI,
SECTION 54-181 CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS DUMPED ON THE ESTATES ZONED
PROPERTY
FOLIO NO: 39387240004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 211 20TH STREET S.E.NAPLES,FL 34117
6. CASE NO: CESD20110017435
OWNER: ROOKERY BAY BUSINESS PARK LLC.
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR DAVID JONES
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.13(F)FAILURE TO SUBMIT PUD MONITORING REPORT
FOLIO NO: 732800002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: NO SITE ADDRESS NAPLES,FL
7. CASE NO: CESD20120004188
OWNER: DOREEN BIGICA
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JAMES SEABASTY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(a)AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)NO COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS
FOR GARAGE DOOR CONVERTED TO DOUBLE GLASS DOORS
FOLIO NO: 45965880003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 2391 19TH STREET S.W.NAPLES,FL 34117
B. Motion for Reduction of Fines/Lien
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Request to Forward Cases to County Attorney's Office as Referenced in Submitted Executive
Summary.
8. REPORTS
9. COMMENTS
10. NEXT MEETING DATE- January 24,2013
11. ADJOURN
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. I'd like to call the
Code Enforcement Board to order.
The respondent may be limited to 20 minutes for case
presentation unless additional time is granted by the board.
Persons wishing to speak at any agenda item will receive up to
five minutes unless the time is adjusted by the chairman.
All parties participating in the public hearing are asked to
observe Robert's Rules of Order and speak one at a time so that the
court reporter can record all statements being made.
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of this board will
need a record of the proceedings pertaining thereto and, therefore,
may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
appeal is to be based. Neither Collier County nor the Code
Enforcement Board shall be responsible for providing this record.
And let's start out with the roll call.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Robert Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Present.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Ken Kelly?
MR. KELLY: Here.
MS. BAKER: Mr. James Lavinski?
MR. LAVINSKI: Here.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Chris Hudson?
MR. HUDSON: Here.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Larry Mieszcak?
MR. MIESZCAK: Here.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Lionel L'Esperance?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Here.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Ronald Doino, Jr.?
MR. DOINO: Here.
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November 29, 2012
MS. BAKER: And Mr. Tony Marino has an excused absence for
today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And that means that Ron
Doino will be the member of the board for voting purposes for this
meeting.
Now, do we have any agenda changes, I say facetiously?
MS. BAKER: Under No. 4, public hearings, motions, Letter A,
motions, motion for extension of time, we have one addition. This
will be No. 2 under extension of time, Collier Realty Corps,
CESD20100003739, and that's No. 1 from impositions.
And then we have one addition, which will be for a motion for
continuance, and this is No. 7 from hearings, Old Barn, Incorporated,
CEPM20120011612.
Under Letter B, stipulations, we have three stipulations. The first
will be No. 13 from hearings, Raymond M. Stonebridge and Christine
M. Stonebridge, Case CESD20120001674.
The second will be No. 8 from hearings, Jorge L. Mendez, Case
CESD20120006927.
The third will be No. 9 from hearings, Jorge L. Mendez, Case
CEPM20120013078.
Under Letter C, hearings, No. 2, Case CESD20120004933, Irvan
M. and Beverly J. Jackson, has been withdrawn.
Number 5, Case CEPM20120007062, Frank Mootispaw, has
been withdrawn.
Number 6, Case CELU20120011611, Old Barn, Incorporated,
has been withdrawn.
Number 12, Case CESD20120008800, Maria A. Leiva has been
withdrawn.
Under No. 5, old business, Letter A, motion for imposition of
fines/liens, No. 2, Case CESD20110003049, Thomas P. Smith, has
been withdrawn.
And that's all the changes I have.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Could we get a motion to
accept the agenda as modified?
MR. MIESZCAK: Motion to accept the agenda as modified.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Passes unanimously.
Let's see. We go to the approval of the minutes. Anybody have
any changes from the minutes from October 25th?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to approve.
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second to
approve.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Passes unanimously.
Which brings us to public hearings. Jen?
MS. BAKER: The first will be under motions, motion for
rehearing. Kirk N. Sanders, Case CESD20100007042.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Since we have two
attorneys, we probably have no swearing in to do.
MR. WRIGHT: I'm not aware of any witnesses.
MR. PERLOW: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we begin now.
MR. PERLOW: My name is Jeffry Perlow. I represent Kirk
Sanders.
In the notice of violation that was issued in this matter, as well as
the findings of fact, specifically the findings of fact of July 26, 2012, it
states, and I'm quoting, approximately 12 mobile homes were installed
with several additions added to the mobile homes consisting of
carports, screen porches, roof-overs, and living space below flood
level with electrical and plumbing without first obtaining all required
building permits.
Firstly, in looking at this, this is very vague. You cannot tell
from looking at this what specific carports, units we're talking about.
If the ordinary person looks at this -- if Mr. Sanders were responsible
-- and I'll argue that he is not -- but if he were, how would he know
exactly which units to repair? You simply cannot tell by looking at
this. It's too vague.
With respect to the order of the board, the order references the
Land Development Code statutes regarding alterations and
improvements. That's understandable. That's where the alleged
violations occur.
It also references 2.02.03, which states any use or structure not
specifically identified in a zoning district as a permitted use,
conditional use, or accessory use shall be prohibited in such zoning
district.
Again, you can't tell from looking at this order exactly how he
violates this particular provision.
The premises in question has been a park since 1955. Mr.
Sanders has all necessary permits from the Department of Health.
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November 29, 2012
He's inspected regularly. So what is this saying? Again, you can't tell
by looking at this document.
The real problem here is -- and, again, according to the notice of
violation, it states any owner or authorized agent who intends to
construct, enlarge, alter, repair, et cetera, shall first make application
to the building official.
It was not Mr. Sanders who intended to make these alterations.
He does not own all of these units.
A new statute was enacted in June of 2011 -- three statutes, brand
new -- and they state -- 723.022, it reviews the mobile home park
owner's general obligations. That's the park owner. He's got to
maintain common areas, buildings, provide access, maintain utility
connections, that type of thing. Those are his responsibilities.
Under 723.023 the mobile home owner has to make sure that his
premises are in -- is in compliance with local code.
Under 723.024 -- and this is the key statute that was enacted in
2011. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or of any
local law, ordinance, or code -- and I'm quoting the statute -- if the
unit of local government finds that a violation of a local code or
ordinance has occurred, the unit of local government shall cite the
responsible party for the violation and enforce the citation under its
local code and ordinance enforcement authority.
It also states, in number two, a lien, penalty, fine, or other
administrative or civil proceeding may not be brought against a
mobile home owner or mobile home for any duty or responsibility of
the mobile home park owner or against the mobile home park owner
or mobile home park for any duty or responsibility of the mobile home
owner.
So if it was the mobile home owner that intended to make the
alteration, you cannot cite or fine the mobile home park owner. It's
clear, the statute is clear. It was enacted in -- June 2nd of 2011 this
statute came into effect. There are numerous commentaries online
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November 29, 2012
about this statute.
I think one of them says, so, for example, if a mobile home
owner is not complying with local codes and ordinances and violating
a local building code with an attachment built onto their unit, instead
of the city coming in and fining the mobile home park owner, the city
would now fine the owner of the mobile home. The noncomplying
mobile home owner will be responsible for the fines, not the park
owner.
And I think this was skipped over for some reason at the hearing
on this matter. This matter should not be before this board against
Kirk Sanders as the mobile home park owner. It should be against the
mobile home owners. It was brought up. It was not really addressed.
There was no testimony presented that Mr. Sanders owned all of these
mobile homes.
Why was the violation brought against him? Why was he fined?
Respectfully, this body did not have the authority to fine him at
that time as the mobile home park owner unless you found for some
reason that he was the party that intended to make the alterations to
these particular units. He doesn't even have the right to alter
somebody else's unit.
So in that respect, if you find that there's been a violation, if
someone hasn't filed for the appropriate permit, you have to cite the
mobile home owner. That's clear in this new set of statutes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I have one question --
MR. PERLOW: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- and that is, does the respondent
own any of the units there?
MR. PERLOW: I believe he owns one of them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any questions from the
board?
MR. MIESZCAK: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Of the respondent?
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November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: I'm just curious about something. Of the
mobile units that are there, I understand -- is there leases on each one
of these held by --
MR. PERLOW: I think most of them, frankly, are month to
month. There might be one or two leases, but I don't think so. I think
some of the units have been there for an extended period of time.
Obviously, some longer than others.
There may be one or two leases. I don't want to say before this
board that there are definitely leases. I think it's mainly a
month-to-month situation.
MR. MIESZCAK: See, what I don't understand is somebody
moves in, lives there for a month or two or a year, whatever, and does
all these improvements and then just drives away, takes off, and who
takes care of this? Who's responsible for cleaning this place up?
MR. PERLOW: Well, in that situation -- I don't know if that's
happening. I don't know if any testimony came in that that was
happening. But if that does happen, it's a problem, because then you
have an abandoned property and, technically, someone is supposed to
file appropriate procedures, I suppose, before somebody else moves
in. But I don't know if that's done.
But there are people there that own these homes and have,
throughout the years, put attachments on these homes. If they've
abandoned that property, does code enforcement have a right to go
against the subsequent owner who's now living there who's taken over,
effectively, the ownership of that property and fine them? I suppose it
does, because they're now the de facto owner if nothing else.
They're on the premises. So if they're on the premises and a
subsequent owner -- and there's a violation, I suppose you'd have to go
after that subsequent owner.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman?
MR. PERLOW: That's not Mr. Sanders. He's the park owner.
MR. MIESZCAK: Let me just say one more thing, and I'll be
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November 29, 2012
done.
It just seems to me how code enforcement can go and do their
job, and yet you're dealing with people that are there or not there;
where are they? There's no way to put a lien on this property if it is
violation, because you really don't have an owner. You have
somebody that has personal property on somebody else's property.
That's exactly what that is, I see. That's a personal property thing on
somebody else's property. So if he can leave and leave it there, he's
gone.
MR. PERLOW: It may be a practical problem, but the statute
says you can't fine the mobile home park owner for that problem. You
have to fine the responsible party who attached the attachment, if you
will, without a requisite permit.
It's not appropriate to fine the mobile home park owner for that
violation if he didn't intend, as the notice of violation states, and as the
Land Development Code states, if he did not intend to make the
alterations. Totally improper.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't we hear from the
county next.
MR. WRIGHT: Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
For the record, I'm Jeff Wright, assistant county attorney.
And this case might sound familiar to you because you've heard
it twice. And Mr. Perlow is asking for a third hearing. This has
literally been heard twice. And in my experience, I've never seen this
board hear the same issue three times.
A lot of issues that he's presented are based on statutory law.
You don't have jurisdiction, respectfully, to base your decision on
those arguments.
Those are great arguments for appeal. They've been in the
appellate forum already once. And by agreement we came back to
hear it again, and we thought that would be a great way to resolve it,
reach some middle ground. But we heard it again, the board found
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November 29, 2012
them in violation, and now they're asking for a third bite at the apple.
So, fundamentally, I think it's precedent setting that this board
would ever hear something three times. And I think that that alone
would be enough for you to deny this request.
Now, getting into the substance of his arguments, we tried to sit
down with Mr. Perlow and Mr. Sanders to determine who owns these
units because, according to the deed, Mr. Sanders owns these units.
And I have the deed here.
And it reads, together with all the tenements, hereditaments, and
appurtenances thereto belonging or in anywise appertaining. We have
-- technically, these are tenements. They're structures on the property.
And like he said, they've been there for a long time.
When Mr. Sanders took title to this property, he took title to all
of them. Now, if you were to grant a rehearing, we would ask Mr.
Sanders -- we'll subpoena information relating to who owns these
units.
Now, we've already heard he owns at least some of them. We
don't know which ones he owns. He refuses to tell us. But the fact
that he owns some of them, that alone is enough to uphold your order.
He's basically saying I'm the mobile home park owner. I don't
own these mobile homes. Well, his deed says he does. He hasn't
provided anything to suggest that he doesn't own any of the units on
the property.
So we're stuck with the facts that we have, and the facts are he
owns the property and he owns the structures, and there's nothing to
controvert that.
Now, there's a standard for rehearing, and it involves an error of
ruling -- on a ruling of law or that you overlooked evidence that was
important to your decision. I haven't heard that yet.
The main argument that he's making is that our approach is
inconsistent with the statute. And, again, you don't have jurisdiction
to base your decision on that.
Page 10
November 29, 2012
So for those reasons, A, a third bite at the apple and, B, he hasn't
met the standard for a rehearing, I ask that you deny this request.
MR. PERLOW: And if I could just respond to that. To ask you
not to consider statutory rules and regulations is ridiculous. Of course,
you have to consider that in reaching your decision. To say just
ignore the statute, is that what's being asked here? You can't ignore
the statute. It's a new statute. And it says he can't be fined if he
doesn't own the mobile homes.
The deed talks about tenements and attachments. Everybody
knows in this case that Mr. Sanders does not own all of these mobile
homes. That testimony came in last time.
It's a standard deed that says whatever was transferred to
somebody else is now transferred to you, et cetera. There's no
question that he doesn't own all of these properties.
I'm not asking you, necessarily, for a third hearing. What I'm
saying to you is, respectfully, this doesn't belong before the board. On
your own motion, this should be dismissed. He doesn't own these
mobile homes. They know he doesn't own all of the mobile homes.
We had meetings on this, yes, we did, and those meetings were to
determine what correction should be made. But at all times during
those meetings we took the position that he doesn't own all of these
units. They know he only owns one of them. You found that there
are 12 of them that are in violation. You know he doesn't own all 12,
but you want him to fix units he doesn't own. That's clearly against
the statute.
And he's asking you not to consider the statute. How can you not
consider statutory regulation?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I have a couple questions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Mr. Kelly?
MR. KELLY: I'd like to address the three main arguments. The
first one that you had mentioned was how vague the original order
Page 11
November 29, 2012
was when it addressed exactly what the violations were.
Although the order seems to be all-encompassing by speaking
indirectly to individual comports and alterations and such, the
testimony throughout the hearing showed the individual units, and I
think that would help prove which ones have the violations.
Number two, the argument was the new statute that came into
effect. And I can certainly appreciate the -- perhaps there's some kind
of discord between the new statute and the ordinance and the way we
govern or the way our rules and regulations are created to enforce the
ordinances of Collier County but, unfortunately, at this board level all
we have is our own rules and regulations and the ordinances which
they pertain to.
So I understand that it's not necessarily the job of the lower
courts or at least quasijudicial boards to take up matters of jurisdiction
or of law issues, and that's why they have appellate courts and circuit
courts and so forth, all the way up to the Supreme Court, for those
type of jurisdictions.
But, specifically, my point to the issue is, we are required to go
after the property owner. If the mobile homes are not deeded, do not
have an individual folio number, are not subsectioned from the main
property, there's no way that our ordinances or our rules or our liens or
our fines can go after anything. There's nothing tangible to attach
them to, because we can't go after property value. We can't go after a
motor vehicle just because it's parked somewhere. It's the land that it's
on that we attached all of our fines and our liens to.
So if they are not individually owned, the property itself that's
underneath the homes that have the violations, if they're not
individually owned, they're owned by Mr. Sanders or by the company,
well, then that's what we have to cite. And I would agree with Mr.
Wright that we would deny the rehearing.
MR. PERLOW: The statute is very clear. Under 723.024 it
states -- again, I stated this before -- notwithstanding any provision of
Page 12
November 29, 2012
this chapter or of any local law, ordinance, or code, it doesn't matter
what your local laws, ordinance, or codes are according to this statute.
It says very explicitly, it doesn't matter what your local
ordinances are. You can't fine Mr. Sanders as the mobile home park
owner for mobile homes that he is not altering, that he doesn't own.
It says, very specifically, you have to go after the mobile home
owner. There's no question about that. There may be an
inconvenience factor here, I understand that. But what the statute
says, the statute says. And it says, you can't override this statute on a
local level. And I think you have to consider, in rendering your
decisions, what the statutes -- why render a decision that's directly in
contradiction to a state statute?
MR. KELLY: Well, in that case there's a procedural disconnect,
because all of our procedures go against the property owner. If there's
a state ordinance that says -- or state law that says that we can't, then
there's a procedural disconnect. We have our procedures, and maybe
they need to change and be updated because of this new law, but until
they are, this is what we have to do.
MR. PERLOW: But it says you can't do that. The law says --
MR. KELLY: And that's why we have appellate courts.
MR. PERLOW: No. You have -- you try to render the right
decision at this level so it doesn't have to be appealed.
MR. KELLY: The right decision --
MR. PERLOW: You don't render any decision even though it
may be wrong, even though you see it's wrong, and have the appellate
court overturn it. That's not necessary if you see the situation here.
MR. KELLY: In my opinion, we are ruling based on the laws
and ordinances that we have under our jurisdiction as a Collier County
quasijudicial board.
MR. PERLOW: Regardless of what the state statutes states?
MR. KELLY: Regardless. And I have not seen that either.
MR. PERLOW: It's one of my attachments. It's Exhibit E in my
Page 13
November 29, 2012
attachment packet. I have attached the statutes as Exhibits C, D, and
E, and that particular statute is Exhibit E.
MR. MIESZCAK: I've read it four times.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Mr. Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I guess the question I have is, these units that
are there, how long have they been there and how many people have
moved into these units and moved out?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I'm not sure we should be
rehearing the case at this point.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But what I'm trying to get at is, basically, if
these units have been there for several years, and people move in and
move out, if I was an owner of a mobile home park and a tenant
moved out, I would want to get rid of that unit so someone else could
move in in their own unit.
He's, literally -- from what I see, he's taken ownership of these if
they're sitting there and someone moves out and then someone else
moves in.
MR. PERLOW: Some of the people have been there, literally,
for years. Some people have been there longer than others. But when
you take over ownership of that particular unit, you're, in effect, taking
ownership of that unit. If you're living with the attachment in place or
the carport in place, that now becomes your attachment and your
carport. And I don't know the local rule or ordinance, but if you're
living in it, does that mean you're responsible for it? I don't know that.
MR. LEFEBVRE: What I have a problem with is if someone
moves out and then someone else moves in, there should be some kind
of transfer of ownership from the previous person that lived there to
the new person. If that document can't be provided, then, literally, the
mobile home park owner has taken ownership of that property.
MR. PERLOW: I don't think that's necessarily the case.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I think we're rehearing the
case at this point.
Page 14
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, yes. We're not going to
rehear the case, and I think maybe we're going a little too far into it.
I'd ask Jean, we have two things that can happen. If we -- if we
were to agree with the respondent, then we would wind up rehearing
the case, I'm sure. If not, that would be the end at this point.
MS. RAWSON: That's correct. And in order to make your
decision as to whether to rehear it, remember that you have to decide
whether you made a decision that was contrary to the evidence or
contrary to the law.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right. And I believe that if we --
from my great ability to remember, the whole issue at that time was if
you have this park and you have units there, who's responsible for the
units. That was kind of like the basic case back then. So any other
questions relative to rehearing this particular case from the board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion deny.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I second that motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to deny and a
second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. PERLOW: Thank you.
Page 15
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. BAKER: Okay. Moving on to motion for extension of
time. The first is Sean King Trust, Case CEVR20110002999.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
ANDREW KELLY: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I see -- I've read through this -- that
they're going to be out of town and they need, looks like, 180 days to
come into compliance. How say the county?
ANDREW KELLY: Yes, sir, we agree.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you agree that 180 days would
be okay to grant?
ANDREW KELLY: We hope that will get us into the rainy
season so it will have a success.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any questions from the
board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any motions from the board?
MR. MIESZCAK: Motion to approve the extension of time 180
days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do we
have a second?
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
MR. DOINO: Second.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
Page 16
November 29, 2012
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
ANDREW KELLY: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: The next is extension of time for Collier Realty
Corporation, CESD20100003739. And this was No. 1 from
impositions.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. A familiar face.
MR. FREEMAN: Good morning. How you doing?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. FREEMAN: Right now I want to just address the board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Have you identified yourself?
MR. FREEMAN: I'm sorry. My name is Ernest Freeman. I'm a
general contractor representing the owner of 101 New Market Road in
Immokalee, Jerry Doran - Depema (phonetic) Group, which is a gas
station located there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. FREEMAN: And I want to come and address the board
today because we are requesting an additional 60-day extension.
The board graciously granted us an extension of time before, but
the owner really encountered some real, I want to say, problems. He
had some criminal situations where he was robbed on a couple
occasions -- and I supplied them with the police reports -- and he
couldn't purchase the plans and the site improvement plans that were
needed to get this case abated.
Now he's been able to acquire the funding, and we were just
asking for an additional 60 days to get this case abated.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So the only progress that's
been made is that you now have the necessary paperwork to start the
Page 17
November 29, 2012
job?
MR. FREEMAN: Exactly, and that's what is needed to get the
permits and everything else to go and get in this case abated.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And the county?
MS. PEREZ: They did also have a pre-application meeting for
the SIP, so they know what they need in order to make all those
submittals. So we leave it up to the board's discretion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Sixty days, you think, would
be sufficient time to resolve this situation?
MR. FREEMAN: I hope. Sometimes in the county it takes a
little longer than -- you know, for them to -- if there's any, I guess,
corrections or things that sometimes can pop up that are requested. I
don't know what the board would be able to grant if it's a few more
days other than the 60.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIESZCAK: I have no problem with 90 days. I'll make a
motion for a 90-day extension.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Page 18
November 29, 2012
MR. FREEMAN: Thank the board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If you run into trouble on the 89th
day, don't call us. Come back sooner.
MR. FREEMAN: Okay, thank you.
MS. PEREZ: Thank you, gentlemen.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: The next case is under motion for continuance,
and this is No. 7 from hearings, Old Barn, Incorporated, Case
CEPM20120011612.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. ATHEY: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I see we have a fire-damage case
here.
MR. ATHEY: It's -- the barn is in disrepair, not a fire damage.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I thought I had read that on -- maybe
it was a previous case that's been withdrawn. Okay. Doesn't matter.
MR. ATHEY: For the record, Stephen Athey, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
MR. LEFEBVRE: This property's going through a hearing for
rezoning, correct?
MR. ATHEY: The property is zoned CPUD currently.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. ATHEY: And has been for quite some time.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: In the -- on the 2 under the
paperwork here it says, damage by fire. That's why I --
MR. ATHEY: That must be a mistake. I'm not aware of any fire
that's happened on the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's because I'm in the wrong
case.
MR. MIESZCAK: Two barns.
Page 19
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Two barns, yes.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Two barns.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is the Old Barn. No fire on this
one.
MR. ATHEY: No fire.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. KELLY: So the county doesn't have any issue with the
continuance?
MR. ATHEY: County has no objection to continuing it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And this is a 60-day request.
Since we're not meeting in December --
MR. ATHEY: The January meeting, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- this will be to the January
meeting, okay.
Any questions from the board?
MR. KELLY: I make a motion to extend till the January
meeting.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I have a motion and a
second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
Page 20
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. ATHEY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: And, Mr. Chairman, we do have one more
stipulation to add, and this is No. 14 from hearings, Millard and
Denise Shorette, Case CESD20120004200.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That will be Stip No. 4?
MS. BAKER: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. BAKER: So the first stipulation will be No. 13, Raymond
M. Stonebridge and Christine M. Stonebridge, CESD20120001674.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. AMBACH: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning, Chris.
MR. AMBACH: For the record, Christopher Ambach, Collier
County Code Enforcement.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall pay operational costs in the amount of$80.86 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing; abate all
violations by obtaining Collier County building permits or a
demolition permit, inspections, and a certificate of
completion/occupancy within 120 days of this hearing, or a fine of
$150 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated; that the
respondent must notify code enforcement within 24 hours of
abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a site
inspection to confirm compliance; that if the respondent fails to abate
the violation, the county may abate the violation using any method to
bring the violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this
agreement, and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property
owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It was just brought to my
Page 21
November 29, 2012
attention we needed to modify the agenda for the addition of that
stipulation. So I'm looking for a motion to do that.
MR. KELLY: We don't have to amend it until just before we
take it or after this case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We'll wait then. Okay. Good
morning.
MS. STONEBRIDGE: Good morning. Christine M.
Stonebridge on behalf of myself and my husband, Raymond M.
Stonebridge.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I see that you've agreed to
the stipulation.
MS. STONEBRIDGE: Yes, we have.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any problem meeting the time?
MS. STONEBRIDGE: I don't believe so. We've got permit
applications to cover the structures, and we're just going through the
process of getting those through and approved.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any motion from the board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to approve the
stipulation.
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
Page 22
November 29, 2012
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MS. STONEBRIDGE: Thank you.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'm going to take a motion
now to add the stipulation.
MR. KELLY: Motion to amend the agenda.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second to
add that stipulation.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Thank you.
MS. BAKER: Next stipulation is No. 8 from hearings, Jorge L.
Mendez, Case CESD20120006927.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. BALDWIN: Good morning. For the record, Patrick
Baldwin, Code Enforcement Investigator.
Therefore it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall: One, pay operational costs in the amount of$81.15 incurred in
the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier County
building permits or demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of
completion/occupancy within 90 days of this hearing or a fine of$150
Page 23
November 29, 2012
per day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, respondent must notify code enforcement within 24 hours
of abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. Good morning.
MR. MENDEZ: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any problem with the
time frames on this stipulation?
MR. MENDEZ: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIESZCAK: So one question. It's not occupied, right?
MR. MENDEZ: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did you state your name for the
record?
MR. MENDEZ: Yeah, Jorge Mendez.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a motion from
the board?
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that we --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Move that we accept the stipulation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do we
have a second?
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
Page 24
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MS. BAKER: Next stipulation is No. 9, Case
CEPM20120013078, Jorge L. Mendez.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You look very familiar.
MR. BALDWIN: For the record, Patrick Baldwin, Collier
County Code Enforcement Investigator.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall: One, pay operational costs in the amount of$80.29 incurred in
the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, abate all violations by, A, obtaining all required Collier
County building or demolition permits, inspections, and certificate of
completion/occupancy and either restore the structure to a permitted
condition consistent with the Collier County property maintenance
code or remove the structure and the pool with screen enclosure within
180 days of this hearing, or a fine of$150 per day will be imposed --
$150 will be imposed for each day the violation continues; B,
alternatively, obtain a Collier County boarding certificate and board
the structure within 14 days of this hearing; and, C, obtain all required
Collier County building permits -- demolition permits, inspections,
and certificate of completion/occupancy and either restore the
structure to a permitted condition consistent with the Collier County
property maintenance code or remove the structure with pool and
screen enclosure within 180 days of the boarding certificate issuance,
or a fine of$150 per day will be imposed for each day the violation
Page 25
November 29, 2012
continues;
Three, respondent must notify code enforcement within 24 hours
of abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So if I understand correctly, there
are going to be two inspections, one after the pool is boarded and then
once everything is completed?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes. He's also going to apply for the permit.
And I think Mr. Mendez can speak on that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MENDEZ: Yeah. I submit the permit. I tried to do it that
way.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You have the permit already
for the boarding of the pool?
MR. MENDEZ: Yeah. I got it, the blueprint and everything, but
I not submit the permit because I got a permit before, and I need to
cancel that one and submit a new one.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You don't think you'd have
any problem boarding the pool up in 14 days?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is it boarding?
MR. MENDEZ: I don't think so.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Mr. Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes. Is it boarding the pool or --
MR. BALDWIN: Sir, he doesn't have a permit for the house yet.
It's a boarding certificate for the house.
MR. LEFEBVRE: For the house.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh, okay.
Page 26
November 29, 2012
MR. LEFEBVRE: So if he does decide to move forward and
repair the house, then he still will have to board it up first, is that --
MR. BALDWIN: Yes, he'll have to obtain a boarding certificate
from the county.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So he'll have to board it up first and then do
his work and --
MR. BALDWIN: I'm sorry. If he does the first part of A, the
stipulation, he does not need to do that. If he doesn't, he needs to get a
boarding certificate and then follow through from the 180 days from
the boarding -- the day of the issuance of the boarding certificate.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Does the swimming pool present any type
of danger?
MR. BALDWIN: I have not seen -- been able to see the
swimming pool, sir.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Is the swimming pool full of water?
MR. MENDEZ: The swimming pool, there's -- got a thing (sic),
you know, around the swim, so --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: There's a fence around it?
MR. MENDEZ: Yeah.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I have a question. It says he has 180 days to
demolish or get a certificate of occupancy from today, but he only has
14 days from today to get the boarding certificate.
So my question is, if he starts the process of fixing the place,
does he not have to get a boarding permit?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. So it's either/or within 14 days. He
has to start either the process of getting the place back -- livable, I
guess. I'm just a little confused on this.
MR. BALDWIN: It is a little wordy. Excuse me.
MR. KELLY: I understand that Letter B would be the alternative
to Letter A.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But the dates --
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November 29, 2012
MR. KELLY: No. I think if he's going to move forward with A,
then he has 180 days to not only move forward with it, to actually get
the work done. If not, then he has to decide now and go with B, which
is to get a boarding certificate.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But how could you start the penalty for the 14
days if you're working on the other -- it --
MR. KELLY: I think what's going to happen is if he doesn't
submit to start A within 14 days, then B kicks in, and those fines will
start coming in.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is that --
MR. KELLY: I think to make it easier --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me just ask, what do you intend
to do?
MR. MENDEZ: Submit the permit and start --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You're going to complete the house?
MR. MENDEZ: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So then the boarding is
probably not required if he is going to go forward and finish the
structure?
Yes, sir.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau, Collier
County Code Enforcement.
The boarding section was more for his benefit in case he was
going to demolish it; we would give him a chance to board it up and
then have some time to demolish it at that point. But if he is going to
bring the structure back up --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we strike B.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We can strike that out of the whole thing
and just go with that part.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We could strike everything -- B and C
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November 29, 2012
out of the record.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And it will have to be signed
and come back.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. We can do that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you understand what we're --
we're going to take the boarding out and the words that pertain to
boarding, and then it will be easier for you.
MR. MENDEZ: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And then you'll sign it, and
they'll bring it back, and we'll approve it.
MR. MENDEZ: Okay. Thank you.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Before we do that -- I know we're not hearing
the case, but is there any way to access this property currently?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. BALDWIN: For -- I'm sorry. Will he let us on the
property, yes, or --
MR. LEFEBVRE: No. I mean, access it as in, like, if someone
wants to get into the --
MR. BALDWIN: No, it's completely fenced in.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Oh, okay, okay. Because what I don't want to
do is have him say, yeah, I want to fix it, and then six months down
the road not being boarded up and there be a safety issue. But if it's
fenced in, it's secured, then --
MR. BALDWIN: The complete property is fenced in.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. All right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you'll take that back, strike those
two paragraphs, and bring it back to the board?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We will.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
Page 29
November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: Just one question. That garage, the finished
garage was there, and then you have the house, right?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
MR. MIESZCAK: So for 180 days, he's not going to live in that
garage? You think so?
MR. BALDWIN: No. He lives at another property in Collier
County.
MR. MIESZCAK: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: The next stipulation is No. 14, Millard and Denise
Shorette, Case CESD20120004200.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. BALDWIN: Good morning. For the record, Patrick
Baldwin, Collier County Code Enforcement Investigator.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall: One, pay operational costs in the amount of$80.86 incurred in
the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier County
building permits or demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of
completion/occupancy within 120 days of this hearing or a fine of
$150 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, the respondent must notify code enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. If you would identify
yourself for the court stenographer.
MS. SHORETTE: Denise Shorette.
MR. SHORETTE: And Joey Shorette.
Page 30
November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, you've heard the
stipulation, you've signed the stipulation. This involves two sheds.
And 120 days, you feel, will be sufficient to get this all done?
MS. SHORETTE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are you going to demolish them, or
are you going to permit them?
MS. SHORETTE: One is already demolished, and the other one
I put my paperwork in, and I'm just waiting for the permit. I moved it.
MR. BALDWIN: The first permit just -- it should be going in
the computer system today that it was CO'ed for the demolition
permit. The permit for the second shed they have submitted, and it
was just rejected, and they have the stuff to bring it back, the
revisions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIESZCAK: Motion to approve the stipulation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion. Do we have a
second?
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second, Mr.
Lavinski.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
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November 29, 2012
Thank you.
MR. BALDWIN: Thank you.
MS. SHORETTE: Thank you.
MR. SHORETTE: Thank you.
MR. KELLY: Do we need to go back now?
MS. BAKER: We do need to go back to Mendez, but he is
getting copies, I believe, so he'll be right back.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We could take a 30-second break,
but we'll wait till they get back. The next case is going to be --
MR. KELLY: Hearings.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're got to check the status of the
paragraph striking. For those at home, Mr. Kelly would like me to
keep on going. Would you like to let us know what the next case is, or
do you want to stall a little bit until they come back in?
MS. BAKER: The next case may be kind of lengthy so --
MR. MIESZCAK: There they are.
MS. BAKER: They're actually back.
MR. MIESZCAK: Home free.
MR. BALDWIN: Sorry about that.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I apologize. We're just getting copies of
this.
Okay. As you can see, we just kept with the original, just crossed
off the B and C part of the stipulation and had Mr. Mendez initial and
date the corrections.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to initial it also
from the county?
MS. BAKER: Do you have the original? That's not the original.
Colleen has it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we have a motion from the
board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make the motion to accept the stipulated
agreement.
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November 29, 2012
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: All right. Moving on to Letter C, hearings, No. 1,
Case CEOCC20120002338, Robert E. and Colleen Rossomando.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. WRIGHT: Good morning, again --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. WRIGHT: -- Mr. Chairman, board members. Again, my
name's Jeff Wright. I'm here on behalf of the county. We're bringing
this case. So if it's okay with you, Mr. Chair, I'll start.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MS. BAKER: Hold on, Jeff. I've got to read this. I have to read
through this first.
This is in reference to violation of ordinances Collier County
Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section 2.02.03 and the
Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 126, Article
IV, Section 126-111, Subsection B.
Description of violation: Operating an inn-type business on this
Estates zoned property. No Collier County business tax receipt
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November 29, 2012
obtained for such use.
Location/address where violation exists: 4641 5th Avenue
Northwest, Naples, Florida, 34119; Folio 36661320009.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Robert E. and Colleen Rossomando, 4641 5th Avenue
Northwest, Naples, Florida, 34119.
Date violation first observed: February 15, 2012.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: March 9,
2012.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: April 9, 2012.
Date of reinspection: August 13, 2012.
Results of reinspection: Violation remains.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. WRIGHT: Good morning, again.
MR. PERLOW: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. WRIGHT: Again, I'm Jeff Wright for the county. The
violation here is operating an inn-type lodging business in Estates
zoning district, which is a prohibited use. They turned their house into
a hotel.
You may recall -- this case has some unique history. On June
28th the board met over at Horseshoe Drive, and the hearing was held.
And by a 4-3 vote, their use was upheld as lawful by this board.
We went back and reviewed the file and determined that -- it's
very rare for us to do that, but we determined that a rehearing request
was appropriate. We felt that the decisions would establish precedent
that was inconsistent with our Comp Plan and our LDC. So we came
back to the board and requested a rehearing in August, and thankfully
the vote was to rehear the matter. So here we are.
Our argument, basically, is that the respondents have plainly
admitted that they're using and advertising their single-family
residence for transient rentals; essentially a hotel, inn, bed and
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November 29, 2012
breakfast, whatever you want to call it, transient rentals.
This type of use is not allowed in the Estates zoning district, and
this property is located in the Estates zoning district.
This type of commercial use is inconsistent with the
Comprehensive Plan. And because it's not a permitted use, it's a
prohibited use under Section 2.02.03 of the LDC. And I'm going to
put that section up.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the respondent seen that
exhibit?
MR. WRIGHT: I do have an extra copy for him. I could run it
by him. Hopefully he won't object.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: But I don't know if he's seen it.
MR. PERLOW: Jeffrey Perlow for Mr. and Mrs. Rossomando. I
have not seen any exhibits. I don't think I have an objection to that
particular exhibit. I would like to see all the exhibits now that are
going to be entered, if we could.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. KELLY: We haven't entered them into evidence yet either,
so I think the one he wants to show is actually part of the original
hearing packet.
MR. PERLOW: Again, I don't know I have an objection to a
statute or an ordinance being admitted. I would ask that the board
disregard any statements from counsel that the Rossomandos have
turned their house into a hotel. I think that's why we're here for
testimony. So if we could hear some testimony on that issue.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any objection to that?
MR. PERLOW: No, of course not.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You may -- we have it as part
of our package, actually. I just want to make sure the respondent had
seen that.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. And rather than put it on the overhead, I
just will read it into the record, if that's acceptable.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's fine.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. The violation that they are accused of is
2.02.03 of the LDC, entitled "Prohibited Uses." Any use or structure
not specifically identified in the zoning district as a permitted use,
conditional use, or accessory use shall be prohibited in that zoning
district. That's what that section of the LDC says.
And -- now, as far as -- I have another exhibit that I'd like to
introduce. I will show it to Mr. Perlow first.
MR. PERLOW: No objection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that part of our package as well?
MR. WRIGHT: I don't believe it is. And I'd like to enter it into
evidence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIESZCAK: I make a motion we accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to accept that
exhibit. Do we have a second?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is the county going to have more exhibits?
MR. WRIGHT: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Should we just accept them all that one time?
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November 29, 2012
That might be easier.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Can that be focused a little bit?
MR. MIESZCAK: How about turned over?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. Either my eyesight is going
or it's out of focus or both.
MR. PERLOW: We don't have any objection to the exhibits.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIESZCAK: Motion to accept all those exhibits in hand.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. WRIGHT: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Continue.
MR. WRIGHT: The first exhibit that we'd like to present, which
he has not objected to, is Exhibit Al, is how I've marked it, and it
basically is an advertisement which was printed up last night for this
house offered as an inn with daily rentals.
You can see on the exhibit that there's a nightly rate between 99
and 159; there's an innkeeper, the respondent. All there for the public
to see and take advantage of.
That -- Mr. Perlow suggested that they weren't operating as a
hotel. I just wanted to make clear -- I'm not sure if they're -- how they
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November 29, 2012
want to call this, but it looks like a hotel, it walks like a hotel, it's
being advertised like a hotel. It's pretty much a hotel.
MR. PERLOW: Excuse me. Is this testimony or is this
argument at --
MR. WRIGHT: This is --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is argument.
MR. PERLOW: Okay.
MR. WRIGHT: This is argument, yes; thank you.
So under 2.02.03, the allegation is that it is a prohibited use in
Estates zoning district.
As a sidenote, in the event that the board finds that they -- this is
a lawful use, we have a tandem item related to the lack of a home
occupation license. Now, if the board rules in favor of the county, that
will be a moot point, and we won't be addressing it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now, that license used to be a
receipt or receipt used to be a license? I saw some documentation to
that.
MR. WRIGHT: Yes. I believe it's now called a business tax
receipt. And the allegation there is that they don't have one and they
should.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WRIGHT: Now, that will not be necessary to address if the
use itself is unlawful. So that's -- I'm going to tackle that first.
Now, in order to get some testimony on the record, I'd like to call
my first witness, and that's Ray Bellows from the zoning department.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BELLOWS: Good morning.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, I'm Ray Bellows. I'm the
zoning manager for Collier County with the Collier County
Department of Planning and Zoning.
The land uses in Collier County are regulated through zoning
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November 29, 2012
districts, and the zoning districts reference a standard industrial
classification number that defines the use, and each zoning district will
list those uses and the SIC code number. This gives property owners
some assurance of what their land uses are and what zoning districts
they are allowed.
The idea is to protect the health, safety, and welfare and prevent
nuisance uses from encroaching into residential districts or vice versa.
The Estates zoning district is kind of unique. It's grouped under
our agricultural type of zoning, which also permits single-family
residential, but the definition section -- purpose-and-intent section of
the estate is a single-family residence, which also allows certain
limited agricultural uses.
As Mr. Wright had indicated, our code talks about permitted
uses. That's how we regulate. We don't list all the prohibited uses.
The bed and breakfast is kind of similar to what's being discussed
here, which is a transient lodging facility, which includes hotels,
motels.
The Land Development Code specifically lists those in
commercial districts, not in the Estates, not in the ag, not in any
residential district. It's a transient form of lodging.
Now, a property owner who owns a single-family lot in the
Estates can rent out that property, but there's timeline regulations that
restrict that. The code defines daily rental to be transient hotel lodging.
If you do that daily, you need to be in a commercial zoning district.
MR. WRIGHT: I have a couple questions for Mr. Bellows, if I
may.
Now, first of all, I want to get the big picture on zoning. Collier
County's a big place, and we have what's called a Comprehensive
Plan?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. WRIGHT: Could you explain to me what the purpose of
the Comprehensive Plan is?
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November 29, 2012
MR. BELLOWS: The Comprehensive Plan is basically a guide
for future development. It lists categories of residential districts,
mixed-use districts, commercial districts. So any rezoning of land
would have to be found consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
So we have an Estates master plan in the Comprehensive Plan --
it's the Golden Gate Area Master Plan -- as part of the Growth
Management Plan, and it regulates land uses in Golden Gate Estates.
The zoning districts that implement the Comprehensive Plan
would list those uses that the Comprehensive Plan indicates are
appropriate for those areas. In this case, it's single-family residential
is the primary use.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. Now, I have put up on the overhead a
map, the Future Land Use Map, for Collier County, and I have noted
with a blue dot -- probably appears as a black dot -- the location of the
Rossomando property. Could you tell me whether or not that's in the
Golden Gate Area Master Plan?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, that is.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. And, now, there are zoning regulations,
as you've testified, that implement that Golden Gate Area Master Plan;
is that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. WRIGHT: Now, do those zoning regulations allow for this
type of commercial activity at this location?
MR. BELLOWS: No, they do not.
MR. PERLOW: Objection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What are you objecting to?
MR. PERLOW: Who's defining it as a commercial activity?
MR. WRIGHT: Perhaps I should clarify.
Does the Golden Gate Area Master Plan contemplate commercial
activity such as bed and breakfasts and inns?
MR. BELLOWS: No, it does not.
MR. WRIGHT: Now -- but the zoning regulations you said
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November 29, 2012
implement that master plan. Now, I have here -- and I've labeled
County's Exhibit D -- the Estates zoning district. Now this, again, is
the zoning regulations that implement the Comprehensive Plan; is that
correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. WRIGHT: Now, go back to the violation at issue.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Jeff, could you move the mike a
little closer to you when you're speaking?
MR. WRIGHT: Sure. The violation at issue is Section 2.02.03
of the LDC. Are you familiar with that section?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. WRIGHT: Now, if you're looking at a particular piece of
property and you're wondering, what can I do on this property, how do
you determine what you can -- what are the lawful uses of a particular
parcel? How do you determine that?
MR. BELLOWS: Well, we have reference to the zoning maps,
and the zoning maps show what district the property's zoned. And
you go to the Collier County Land Development Code for that zoning
district which specifies the permitted uses, conditional uses, and
accessory uses. And commercial industrial uses list the SIC code for
-- help better define those uses. The residential uses don't reference
the SIC code.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. Now, this zoning district -- I have the
zoning regulation applicable to this parcel, Estates zoning district.
Within that regulation, there's a list of permitted, accessory and,
ultimately, conditional uses. On that list of what's permitted, are
hotels allowed?
MR. BELLOWS: No, they are not.
MR. WRIGHT: Are beds and -- bed and breakfasts allowed?
MR. BELLOWS: No, it is not.
MR. WRIGHT: Are inns?
MR. BELLOWS: Nope.
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November 29, 2012
MR. WRIGHT: Transient rentals?
MR. BELLOWS: No, they are not.
MR. WRIGHT: The only -- so could you please tell me what the
only permitted uses are under the land development regulations there?
MR. BELLOWS: As you can see on the visualizer, it's -- the
primary use is single-family residential, single-family dwellings,
which also includes family-care facilities. And there's a section in the
code that has more specific criteria for those uses; essential services,
which is also a separate section in the Land Development Code
regulating different types of essential services; and then public schools
are also permitted in the Estates as permitted uses.
MR. WRIGHT: Are you aware of any conditional use or
accessory use that would allow this type of operation?
MR. BELLOWS: No, there is not.
MR. WRIGHT: Not in this zoning district?
MR. BELLOWS: Not in this zoning district.
MR. WRIGHT: Next up, I'm going to put on the overhead -- this
has been approved as county's Exhibit E -- the definitions for dwelling
from the LDC and the definition of hotel.
Now, you just testified that single-family dwellings are allowed
in this zoning district. When I -- when you say "dwelling," does that
mean more than one family could live there?
MR. BELLOWS: One family.
MR. WRIGHT: One family -- no more than one family?
MR. BELLOWS: Hence the name single family.
MR. WRIGHT: So under that single-family zoning category,
that permitted use, you can't have more than one family?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. WRIGHT: So operating of a -- operation of a bed and
breakfast or an inn-type of facility that invites and actually has
additional families on it would be a violation of that particular
section?
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November 29, 2012
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. WRIGHT: And it would no longer be a single-family
dwelling under that definition and, therefore, an unlawful use?
MR. BELLOWS: That is correct.
MR. WRIGHT: So, in your opinion, is the operation of a bed
and breakfast or an inn-type of facility, the advertising of that use, is
that a violation of the LDC?
MR. BELLOWS: In my opinion, it is a violation.
MR. WRIGHT: And it is a violation of Section 2.02.03 of the
LDC?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, it is.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. And if you could just pin this down, why
would it be a violation of Section 2.02.03 of the LDC?
MR. BELLOWS: The Estates zoning district clearly specifies
the permitted uses. Bed and breakfast or transient lodging or hotel is
not specifically listed. So under that section of the code, 2.02.03, it
would be deemed a prohibited use.
MR. WRIGHT: That's all I have.
MR. BELLOWS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: Mr. Bellows, are you aware in the State of
Florida there are other statutory definitions for the term "hotel"?
MR. BELLOWS: There may be. I'm not familiar with it.
MR. PERLOW: So you wouldn't be surprised if a hotel were
defined under Florida Statute 5.09.242 as a facility that must have 25
rooms; would that surprise you?
MR. WRIGHT: I would object to this. There is a provision in
your rules that prevents you from hearing any evidence suggesting
that the county's ordinance conflicts with a statute. We have a
definition within our ordinance of a hotel. That's on the screen.
MR. PERLOW: There are state definitions as well that --
MR. WRIGHT: He's referring to a statute and suggesting that
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November 29, 2012
there's a conflict. You don't have jurisdiction to hear that argument.
MR. PERLOW: You can hear a definition of a hotel under a
state statute.
MR. WRIGHT: And I would add to that. There is a state statute
that regulates hotels. It's a statutory scheme that requires registration
with the state. What they're trying to do is cherrypick a definition
from that statutory scheme and say it applies to this case. They don't
register with the state. They're not inspected by the state. They don't
fall under that statute.
So not only do you have -- don't have jurisdiction to hear that
argument, it's a deceiving argument, and it's not applicable here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: As Mr. Kelly stated earlier, we're
here with the LDC. That's what we monitor. Not the state
regulations.
MR. PERLOW: Does the Collier County Land Development
Code also have another definition of a hotel as the transient building
or facility with full dining services, cocktail lounges, and fitness
rooms; have you seen that definition?
MR. BELLOWS: What was the definition title?
MR. PERLOW: A destination resort hotel is a transient lodging
facility building with full dining services and cocktail lounges and
fitness rooms. Have you seen that definition?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, I have.
MR. PERLOW: All right. What is the primary use of the
Rossomando property?
MR. BELLOWS: What is the primary purpose of-- that's
allowed by our code or how they are operating?
MR. PERLOW: No. I'm asking you what the primary use of the
Rossomando property is today.
MR. BELLOWS: As the code case has cited?
MR. PERLOW: No. I'm asking you, sir, if you know what the
primary use of the property is.
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November 29, 2012
MR. BELLOWS: The primary use is regulated by the Estates
district, and it should be a single-family dwelling as defined by our
Land Development Code. And if they are not abiding by those
regulation, then they are violating our ordinance.
MR. PERLOW: Is the Rossomando property a single-family
dwelling?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: It is, isn't it?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: And that's a permitted use under Estates zoning;
isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: The structure is a permitted structure. Now, if
it's being operated in a different manner, then it's not.
MR. PERLOW: Sir, under the Estates zoning, a permitted use
under Al is a single-family dwelling --
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: -- isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: That is correct.
MR. PERLOW: Are the Rossomandos living in that property
and using it as a single-family dwelling? That's what I'm asking you.
MR. BELLOWS: If they're using it for transient lodging, then
it's a violation.
MR. PERLOW: I'm not asking you that, sir. Do you know of
your own personal knowledge if the Rossomandos are using that
property as a single-family dwelling?
MR. BELLOWS: I'll defer that to -- I don't do the code
enforcement.
MR. PERLOW: Well, who's testifying here?
MR. WRIGHT: Mr. Bellows just said that he doesn't know the
answer to your question.
MR. PERLOW: If he doesn't know the answer, he can state he
doesn't know the answer. I have additional questions for Mr. Bellows.
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November 29, 2012
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah, I do not do code enforcement, so I don't
know if they're -- specifically how they're operating.
MR. PERLOW: But you know that accessory uses under B1 are
permitted; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Accessory uses are allowed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are the accessory uses allowed or
the stated accessory uses?
MR. BELLOWS: Accessory uses as defined in the Estates
zoning district is allowed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: And under B 1, specifically, uses and structures
that are accessory and incidental to uses permitted as of right in the E
district, that's -- that is the definition, one definition, in B1 of an
accessory use; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: And when -- under B1, a use that is accessory
and incidental, it is permitted; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: So if you're using your property as a
single-family dwelling and also there's an accessory -- an incidental
use, that is permissible?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: I'm going to ask the board to refer to Exhibit 2,
if I may.
MS. BAKER: Mr. Perlow, is that your exhibit packet?
MR. PERLOW: That's my exhibit for --
MS. BAKER: We haven't accepted -- they haven't accepted your
exhibit packet yet.
MR. PERLOW: Oh, I'm sorry.
MR. WRIGHT: No objection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have hard copies for
us, or are you going to show us?
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November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: Screen it.
MS. BAKER: We'll have hard copies as well, but we will also
put it on the screen.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept the exhibits.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to accept the
exhibits.
MR. DOINO: Second.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we wait a second and see
how many exhibits there are, and we can accept them all at one time.
MR. KELLY: Is this your entire packet, sir?
MR. PERLOW: Four exhibits, please.
MS. BAKER: The four exhibits.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: I haven't actually addressed Exhibit 1 yet. I
wasn't aware that Mr. Bellows was going to testify first.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Mr. Wright, do you have any
objection to the four exhibits so we can vote to accept them or not?
MR. WRIGHT: I might need a moment to go through these. I
have 20 pages here to review.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't we take a
10-minute break so Mr. Wright won't strain his eye too much to read
them all in 20 minutes. We'll be back at 20 -- how about 10:35, how's
that, fourteen minutes?
MR. MIESZCAK: 10:25?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: 10:25, I'm sorry.
(A brief recess was had.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to call the Code Enforcement
Board back.
Okay. Mr. Wright, have you had a chance, in that huge break, to
read the packages that have been submitted?
MR. WRIGHT: Yes, I have, Mr. Chairman. And we are okay
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November 29, 2012
with all of the exhibits except for Exhibit 2, and that exhibit is a
December 2004, apparently, a memorandum, staff clarification, and it
was authored by Ross Gochenaur. He's not here. This thing's eight
years old. The code may have changed between the date of this
opinion and today.
And I'm informed by the zoning department, Mr. Bellows, who
we could get up here, that it's very possible that there have been
subsequent interpretations on the same topic. So without having Mr.
Gochenaur here knowing the context of this inquiry that led to this
memo, we would have to object to it. It's hearsay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, let me start out by
accepting a motion from the board to accept the other exhibits. One
we've already done. Exhibit 2 and Exhibit 3 and the one that has no
number on it.
MR. MIESZCAK: We have objection to No. 2?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Right, from the county.
MR. MIESZCAK: So we don't look at that?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can we get a motion to --
MR. MIESZCAK: Are we doing -- motion to -- for Exhibit 1, 3,
and 4; is that what we're saying?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah.
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll make a motion for 1, 3, and 4, exhibit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do we
have a second?
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
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November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. PERLOW: With respect to Exhibit 2, if you will recall, the
last time we were here a letter was offered by somebody who was
proposed to be an expert giving an opinion. That was admitted into
evidence without that person being here. So -- and you considered
giving weight to the letter, and considering it in that capacity.
This Exhibit 2 is a code staff clarification. It can be admitted. He
can be questioned on it. If he doesn't know if there are any
amendments or changes to it, he can so testify. But having the person
actually here is not necessary, especially in view of the board's prior
decision; particularly a decision in this case.
So this exhibit, if he knows what's in here, he can testify to it. If
he doesn't know what's in here, he can testify to it. If he doesn't know
if there are clarifications, he can so state, but that shouldn't affect this
board's accepting this as an exhibit into evidence. It can be considered
for what it's worth.
MR. WRIGHT: I'll respond that I don't know that it's necessary
to go to the mat on this one. I don't vociferously object to it, but I
would point out -- in fact, at this time I'll stipulate to it coming in if the
board would allow that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WRIGHT: And if I may make my points with respect to the
deficiency of this exhibit for the record.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We haven't looked at them
yet because we haven't accepted them. So I accept a motion to accept
Exhibit 2.
MR. KELLY: I'll make a motion to accept 2.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay. So all the exhibits have been accepted.
MR. PERLOW: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now, you want to give the board
about 10 minutes to read these or you -- or do you want us to wait, and
you'll let us -- lead us down the path, both of you, as we go?
MR. MIESZCAK: Yeah.
MR. WRIGHT: Well, I just want to point out that something
that's eight years old and questionable as to the context it was written
and whether or not there have been changes to this interpretation in
the section of the LDC; it's short on credibility.
And I would also add that Mr. Gochenaur's not here to answer
questions relating to this. So for that reason, I think that this exhibit
should be given very little weight. And I would add that -- I'm not
sure where Mr. Perlow's going with this, but this guesthouse definition
does not contemplate rentals or commercial use of the property. And
that's all I have to say about this exhibit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Who is Mr. Gochenaur, by the way?
MR. WRIGHT: He's the former zoning director of Collier
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November 29, 2012
County.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So he was the -- prior to Ray?
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows. Ross was a
planning manager during that time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Have you seen this memo?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BELLOWS: And it should be noted that the Collier County
Growth Management Division, a few years ago Claudine O'Claire,
who's the manager of our business center, was working with zoning
staff to create an updated version of this clarification memo to address
current issues with the code, and has -- our Land Development Code
has changed over the last 10 years or eight years, so I believe that's
kind of a dated document.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is there a replacement for this one?
MR. BELLOWS: I believe there is, but I don't recall it offhand.
So we'll have to do some checking. But I remember working with her
on it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We're in the middle of you
asking questions of--
MR. PERLOW: Mr. Bellows.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: And if I could continue, please.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. PERLOW: Thank you.
Mr. Bellows, under Estate district -- they were talking about that.
And under B1, a use that is accessory and incidental is permitted; isn't
that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: And we're referencing now Exhibit 2, which is a
Collier County code development code staff clarification memo; isn't
that correct?
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November 29, 2012
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: And under background considerations in that
memo it states, the first two lines, I believe, guesthouses, cottages, and
guest quarters, guest suites are permissible as uses accessory to
permissible principal single-family residences; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: It states also at the end of that paragraph, does it
not, that this staff clarification is intended to establish guidelines to
assist building plan reviewers to determine if a structure or building
addition meets the LDC definition of any of these accessory uses; isn't
that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: And under C on the second page, just the first
line, guest quarters, guest suite, it refers to guest quarters and guest
suites as, quote, this accessory use; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: In fact, under the code Section 1.08.02,
guestrooms are defined as attached rooms which could be used as --
and I'm emphasizing the word, temporary sleeping accommodations;
isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: We're talking about interpreting the code and
not looking outside the code, isn't that correct, here?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: And we're trying to determine if, under Estate
District E, Mr. Rossomando can rent rooms to outside individuals;
isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: That's what --
MR. PERLOW: That's what we're here for, right?
MR. BELLOWS: -- the intention is, yes.
MR. PERLOW: And under the Estate District E, we know he
can use the property as a single-family dwelling; isn't that correct?
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November 29, 2012
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: And under B 1, if there's an accessory and
incidental use to the uses permitted as of right, those are acceptable as
well; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: And using the property as temporary sleeping
quarters is an accessory use; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: As clearly defined in the code, it talks about
guesthouse being limited to residents and their guests on a temporary
basis.
MR. PERLOW: That's what guestrooms are, correct, using the
rooms on a temporary basis; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: For family members and the guests of the
family members.
MR. PERLOW: Well, where does it say that in that memo?
Does it state that anywhere in that memo?
MR. BELLOWS: That memo is not a zoning document.
MR. PERLOW: We're talking about strictly what the code
states, and the definition --
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah, you have to --
MR. PERLOW: Under 1.0, that particular section, that particular
section doesn't refer to family members and nonfamily members. It
talks about guestrooms used on a temporary basis; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: The Land Development Code defines
guesthouse as an accessory dwelling structure which is attached or
detached from a principal dwelling located on the same residential
parcel and which -- and accessory dwelling serves as an accessory use
providing living quarters for the occupants of the principal dwelling,
their temporary guests, or their domestic employees.
MR. PERLOW: Under 1.08.02, guest quarters/suites are defined
in the Land Development Code as an attached or detached room or
suite which could be used as a temporary sleeping accommodation
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November 29, 2012
which is integrated as part of the principal use of the property and may
contain running water, et cetera, et cetera. Isn't that what that says?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, it does.
MR. PERLOW: Okay.
MR. BELLOWS: And if I might add --
MR. PERLOW: No, there's no question pending, sir.
MR. BELLOWS: Well, there's a new staff clarification that was
-- I referred to earlier that was being worked on by Claudine O'Claire.
It's my understanding that that guest quarters, slash, guest suites is
intended to only apply to those Planned Unit Development zoning
districts that specifically list that use.
MR. PERLOW: Has the code been changed?
MR. BELLOWS: The code?
MR. PERLOW: Has this definition been changed?
MR. BELLOWS: No, it has not.
MR. PERLOW: And this definition refers to rooms being used
as temporary sleeping quarters; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah, and the staff clarification makes it clear
that it applies to PUDs that list that term.
MR. PERLOW: We don't have that here, do we?
MR. BELLOWS: We don't.
MR. PERLOW: Now, we're talking about going strictly by what
the code says. This is a definition in the code; is it not?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, it is.
MR. PERLOW: All right. So sleeping in those rooms would be
an accessory use, isn't that correct, if the rooms were used for guests?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
MR. PERLOW: And if that use is incidental to the primary use
as a single-family dwelling, it would be permitted under estate district
zoning; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: If it's deemed to be accessory to a
single-family dwelling.
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November 29, 2012
MR. PERLOW: If it's accessory --
MR. BELLOWS: If it's deemed to be.
MR. PERLOW: If it's deemed by this board to be an accessory
incidental use to the use of the property as a single-family dwelling,
the use is permitted; isn't that correct?
MR. BELLOWS: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can I ask a question, since it's on
this subject and I'll probably forget about it?
Somebody has a house and they have a guesthouse; that's what
this argument is going back and forth. Guesthouses are legal. The
business that you're talking about there is not being argued at this
point; is that correct?
MR. PERLOW: Well, I was going to ask questions about the
business tax receipt.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: I can get to that now, essentially, if that's
permissible with the board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. PERLOW: I'd ask you to reference Exhibit 4, please. Do
you know who a Carolyn Francis is?
MR. BELLOWS: Could you repeat the question?
MR. PERLOW: Do you know who a Carolyn Francis is?
MR. BELLOWS: I don't believe so.
MR. PERLOW: It says on the third page of this document that
she's a branch office manager in business tax receipts on Horseshoe
Drive in Naples, Florida. Do you have any reason to doubt that that's
who she is?
MR. BELLOWS: No, I do not.
MR. WRIGHT: I would object to this line of questioning. Mr.
Bellows is here for zoning purposes, and he's not -- doesn't have
knowledge about business tax receipt. If he does, it hasn't been
established.
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November 29, 2012
MR. PERLOW: Well, if he doesn't have any knowledge, he can
certainly so testify. I'm asking him to reference an exhibit. Part of
one of the charges against the Rossomandos is this business tax receipt
issue, so I'm trying to determine if this witness knows anything about
that.
MR. BELLOWS: I'm not involved with the business tax
receipting.
MR. PERLOW: All right, fine. I have no further questions of
Mr. Bellows.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have questions of
another --
MR. PERLOW: I'm not sure if my brother is resting his case or
if he has any other witnesses.
MR. WRIGHT: My only witness is Mr. Bellows, but I do have a
couple follow-up questions, if I may.
Now let's talk about guesthouses. Is there any instance in the
Estates where you have a single-family home where you can have
more than one family living at the single-family dwelling?
MR. BELLOWS: None that I know of, legally.
MR. WRIGHT: And is there any suggestion in the definition, in
this memo, or anywhere that you're aware of that a guesthouse would
be a lawful use of-- a lawful use of land where the principal residence
is being offered for daily rentals separate from any guesthouse?
MR. BELLOWS: There are no instances that I know of where
that is done legally.
MR. WRIGHT: So if a house had a guesthouse as an accessory
structure and was renting out three of the rooms within the primary
residence to different families, would that be a violation of Section
2.02.03 of the LDC?
MR. BELLOWS: My opinion, it would be.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. And is there -- in the suggestion in the
definition that guesthouses are for their temporary guests or domestic
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November 29, 2012
employees, does that include, in your opinion, those guests that you
have solicited via the Internet?
MR. BELLOWS: It would not.
MR. WRIGHT: That's all I have. Thank you.
MR. PERLOW: Just for clarification, there's been no testimony
that they're renting out -- the Rossomandos are renting out a
guesthouse. We've been talking about rooms within the primary
residence here, and there's this continuing reference to a guesthouse --
Mr. Rossomando will testify that his mother lives in the guesthouse.
They don't rent out the guesthouse. They're renting out rooms in the
primary residence on occasion.
So just for purposes of clarification, there was continuing
reference to a guesthouse.
MR. WRIGHT: Well, if I may, we didn't bring up guesthouse;
he did, via this exhibit.
MR. PERLOW: Well, the exhibit brought up rooms. It
references temporary sleeping quarters and suites and rooms. That's
what we referenced.
MR. WRIGHT: So the guesthouse is not being used for transient
rentals?
MR. PERLOW: No, it is not.
MR. WRIGHT: It's got Grandma in it. The house is being used
for unlawful transient rentals.
MR. PERLOW: Well, that's --
MR. WRIGHT: And I believe this argument is a red herring.
Guesthouse is off the table.
MR. PERLOW: That's his opinion what it's being used for. This
board wants us to go by the code. You're trying to interpret the code
strictly. So if there's a permitted use and there's an accessory use
which is incidental, it's permitted under the code, and that's what we're
going by.
I would call Jeff Letourneau, please.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. Jeff s been sworn already.
MR. PERLOW: Mr. Letourneau, with respect to the violations at
the Rossomandos, who actually observed the violations?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't believe anybody has observed the
actual renting of. We just had a complaint, and then we referenced the
website as far as going forward with this case.
MR. PERLOW: So no one from your office has seen one guest
at this location; isn't that correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Not that I know of.
MR. PERLOW: There have been past investigations; isn't that
correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: There have.
MR. PERLOW: How many past investigations?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm not quite sure about that.
MR. PERLOW: Well, I'd like you to refer to Exhibit 1, please,
and ask the board to do so as well.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Give me a chance to take a look at this.
MR. PERLOW: That's fine.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: According to this, previous complaints were
filed, this one in particular in February of 2010. Do you know who
investigated this complaint?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm not sure. It doesn't really say on here
who investigated it.
MR. PERLOW: What was the finding?
MR. LETOURNEAU: There's no finding on these pages, I don't
believe.
MR. PERLOW: Well, it says -- under outcome, what does it
say?
MR. LETOURNEAU: What page are you referring to here?
MR. PERLOW: I have Exhibit 1. It's a two-page document.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. Outcome -- okay, outcome, no
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November 29, 2012
violations found.
MR. PERLOW: And also on Page 2, September 14 of 2010 --
this is a separate case number; isn't that correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: It is.
MR. PERLOW: And no violation was found at that time as well;
isn't that correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's what this paper states, yes, sir.
MR. PERLOW: Do you know why no violation was found?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I can't recall, to be honest with you.
MR. PERLOW: Do you know who conducted the inspection?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, sir.
MR. PERLOW: But this is an issue that was before code
enforcement on two prior occasions; isn't that correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: It appears to be, yes.
MR. PERLOW: And at least based upon this document, on these
two prior occasions, no violation was found each time; isn't that
correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: According to these documents, yes, sir.
MR. PERLOW: But you don't know why no violation was
found?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm not going to hazard a guess at this
point.
MR. PERLOW: I'd ask you to reference Exhibit 3, please.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: Mr. Letourneau, Exhibit 3 is a list of vacation
rentals available in the Naples area, and those rentals are available for
various periods of time from 30 days to 60 days, perhaps six months.
There are also daily rates on that site. Is it your opinion that all of
those are in violation?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Without investigating each and every one
of them, I couldn't tell you what's a violation and what's not at this
point.
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November 29, 2012
MR. PERLOW: But if somebody is renting their condo for 30
days, would you consider that a transient use?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Possibly.
MR. PERLOW: Unless, of course, the rental of that condo was
an accessory and incidental use; isn't that correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Accessory and incidental to the --
MR. PERLOW: Primary use as a dwelling.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So you're saying that the owners are still
living at the property, and they're renting a room? I mean, I'm not
really sure where you're going.
MR. PERLOW: What I'm asking is --
MR. WRIGHT: I would object to this line of testimony. It's
irrelevant. We're talking about other cases. We're even willing to
stipulate that this type of violation may be going on elsewhere, but
we're not talking about other violations. We're talking about this
property.
MR. PERLOW: That's fine. Then I'll withdraw the question.
Are you familiar with the tax receipt situation for which the
Rossomandos were charged?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm familiar that they don't have one.
MR. PERLOW: Okay. Are you aware that they had previously
spoken to somebody at tax receipts?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Not until I just heard it today when you
brought it up, I believe.
MR. PERLOW: Okay. So if you could reference Exhibit 3,
please.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Exhibit 3? I've got 3 and 4 in front of
me.
MR. PERLOW: Oh, exhibit 4, I'm sorry.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay, all right.
MR. PERLOW: Are you familiar with a Carolyn Francis?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I am.
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November 29, 2012
MR. PERLOW: And who is she?
MR. LETOURNEAU: She works for the business tax receipt
office, I believe.
MR. PERLOW: Do you see in the last page here where an
inquiry was made of Ms. Francis regarding whether or not a tax
receipt was necessary, and do you see her reply?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Do you see it here? I see an Andrea
Thompson. Okay. Hold on. Last page. Hold on. Let me read this. I
do see it, yes.
MR. PERLOW: And do you see where Ms. Francis states, if this
is your personal property and the only activity occurring from this
location is renting the rooms, you are not required to obtain a business
tax?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I read that, yes.
MR. PERLOW: So that was the opinion from that office; isn't
that correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: For renting rooms, yes, but that isn't the
whole situation we're talking about here. Obviously, she didn't get the
whole, you know, transient lodging, daily rates, and the zoning at all.
She just -- people can rent their rooms.
MR. BELLOWS: It's just a business tax.
MR. WRIGHT: I would also object to this line of questioning.
Basically, we're quoting somebody trying to establish that -- they're
quoting them for the purpose of the truth of the matter asserted in this
statement, which is hearsay. This is classic hearsay. And without her
present we have no idea what the context of the discussion was and, in
fairness, we should be able to ask Ms. Francis questions, not a third
party.
MR. PERLOW: This body can accept hearsay evidence. That's
clear from its own rules and regulations. So the board can consider it
for what it's worth.
I don't think anyone's going to question on this board that this is a
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November 29, 2012
memo that went back and forth.
Now there's four people up there assisting the witness, and I
would just like to question the witness and finish, and then he can be
examined by counsel.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: On Page 1 it states also, hi, I have one dwelling
unit that I rent three rooms to tourists. This is Mr. Rossomando
writing to the business tax receipt department. Do you see that?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I do.
MR. PERLOW: So he's explaining to them exactly what he
does, which is renting three rooms to tourists. Do you see that?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I do see that.
MR. PERLOW: Who decided in your office to charge Mr.
Rossomando with this business tax receipt issue? Was that your
decision?
MR. LETOURNEAU: It was.
MR. PERLOW: All right. Has your opinion changed at all by
what you're seeing from --
MR. LETOURNEAU: No.
MR. PERLOW: -- Carolyn Francis?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No.
MR. PERLOW: I have no further questions.
MR. MIESZCAK: I have one question. In Exhibit 4, you read
what Carolyn Francis wrote. You read half the paragraph.
MR. PERLOW: I can finish reading that paragraph.
MR. MIESZCAK: It would be -- well, you don't have to. I'm
just saying, you read half of it, and the rest of it says, however, you
will need to contact the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation about registering for your lodging and the Collier County
Zoning Department if renting multiple rooms are allowed in your
location.
MR. PERLOW: Yeah. And Mr. Rossomando will testify to that,
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but that was a separate issue than the business tax receipt for which
he's being charged here today. That's why I didn't ask this gentleman
about that.
MR. MIESZCAK: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Are you finished or -- with
this?
MR. PERLOW: Yes. Yes, I am.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are you finished with all your
questions?
MR. PERLOW: Of him, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have questions of
another --
MR. PERLOW: I'm not sure if Mr. Wright has questions of Mr.
Letourneau.
If not, I'd like to ask Mr. Rossomando some questions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Fine.
MR. PERLOW: Mr. Rossomando, I'd like to address the issue of
the business tax receipt.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me ask first, has Mr.
Rossomando been sworn in?
MR. PERLOW: I believe, yes.
Addressing the issue of the business tax receipt, did you ever
discuss this issue with anyone?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: I wrote the county tax department.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Could we have a microphone for you,
please, sir? Do we have a portable or hand-held? Thank you.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: I wrote the county tax department and --
who I found out issues the tax receipts, on their online page, and I
asked that question. It was a general question online. And a series of
emails back and forth, and I finally got the one from Carolyn Francis
that said I wasn't required to have a business tax receipt.
The next items on the page that was listed, that's a state
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department. I contacted the state department and defined what I did,
and they defined it as a tourist home. And they said, you need to fill
out an application, which I started doing, but I felt that I -- since it was
quite expensive to file that application, I felt that I needed to resolve
the county issue first and then follow through with that.
Before I first started this, I did go down to zoning -- and that was
the next item on that page -- and asked them whether I can rent rooms
in my home short term, and they said yes. And do I need a license for
this? And they said no. So I proceeded to go forth.
MR. PERLOW: When did you make that inquiry of zoning?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: I believe it was in the 2004/2005 time
frame.
MR. PERLOW: When did you build your home?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: CO in 2003, March of 2003.
MR. PERLOW: So before you started renting out rooms, exactly
who did you make an inquiry of?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: The zoning. I went down to zoning and
asked them whether I could rent rooms short term.
MR. PERLOW: Going to the premises in question, is this your
primary residence?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes, it is.
MR. PERLOW: Do you have a home anywhere else?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: No. This is the only residence I have.
MR. PERLOW: Could you please describe the property?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: It's an Estates zoned, as previously
discussed. It's on five acres of property. The setback of the house is
150 feet from the road. My nearest neighbor is 200 feet away, so it's a
very quiet area.
We have four bedrooms, one of which I occupy, three of which,
on occasion, I rent out to guests.
MR. PERLOW: Who lives in the house with you?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: My wife.
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November 29, 2012
MR. PERLOW: Is there a guesthouse?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes, there is.
MR. PERLOW: And who lives there?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: My mother-in-law.
MR. PERLOW: Are there any signs out in front of the property
advertising a rental?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: No, there is not.
MR. PERLOW: When was the last time you rented rooms?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: April.
MR. PERLOW: And why is that?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: You mean why I didn't have --
MR. PERLOW: Why haven't you had any guests since April?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: A number of reasons. We've had two
deaths in the family, several birthdays in which we travel and go
away, health issues. We only rent guests -- only rent to guests when
it's convenient for us.
MR. PERLOW: And how do you determine who you're going to
rent to?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Typically, we get an email from our
website, and they inquire, and we have several emails back. Some as
many as 10, and by the time the guests arrive, we know them quite
well.
MR. PERLOW: And what are the differences between your
home and your renting rooms as compared to a hotel?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Well, the number of rooms, we talked
about earlier, versus a hotel. But besides that, we don't operate like a
hotel. A hotel has a front desk, a 24-hour front desk. A hotel doesn't
close when it's inconvenient for the owner. A hotel doesn't take cash
-- I mean doesn't take personal checks; we do. That's our primary
method. We don't take credit cards.
We don't do the services that a hotel does. A hotel has daily
changes of room, daily cleaning, et cetera, et cetera. You're quite
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familiar with what a hotel does. We rent rooms.
MR. PERLOW: And how often do you go away?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: We have five grandchildren. We go
away for every birthday. We go away on vacation. We don't rent
whenever the family visits us.
MR. PERLOW: And you don't rent rooms when you go away?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: No.
MR. PERLOW: Why do you rent the rooms?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Because it's fun. We enjoy it. It's -- we
enjoy doing this, and that's why we do it.
MR. PERLOW: Were you ever contacted previously on the
room rentals?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: By who?
MR. PERLOW: By code enforcement.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes, twice before. They came to the
house. They visited us. We told them what we do, and they went
back and talked to people back there and came back to us and said that
we're not in violation.
MR. PERLOW: How many times was this?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: This was two times before.
MR. PERLOW: Did they tell you why you weren't in violation?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Frankly, I didn't care.
MR. PERLOW: Okay. So, if you could, compare your use of
the home as your primary residence with the rental of rooms for the
board to consider.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: Discuss that for us just for a few minutes,
please.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Well, as we said, that it is my primary
residence. It's the only residence we have. We live there full time.
And we rent our spare bedrooms to supplement our income.
MR. PERLOW: And that's done on a somewhat irregular basis,
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as you've testified to?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: I have nothing further.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You have no more questions
of anybody?
Do you want to sum up, Jeff?
MR. WRIGHT: I have a couple of questions of Mr.
Rossomando.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. WRIGHT: Sir, is this property your homestead?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: You mean is it homesteaded in
coincidence with the tax department?
MR. WRIGHT: Are you registered with the property appraiser
to get a homestead exemption on this property?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes.
MR. WRIGHT: And are you aware of any limitations on renting
your homestead?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: No, I'm not.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. And how many rooms do you rent in this
house --
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Three.
MR. WRIGHT: -- in the principal structure?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Three rooms.
MR. WRIGHT: And do you get compensation for that?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes.
MR. WRIGHT: Now, you said you enjoy it. That's the main
reason that you do it. Do you also do it for the extra supplemental
income?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: It helps defray some of the costs of the
house, yes.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. Now, you may have seen Exhibit Al that
we presented. It was an advertisement for nightly rentals for this
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place. Is that your website?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: That is -- yes.
MR. WRIGHT: And the innkeeper that's listed on that exhibit, is
that you?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: That's a form page.
MR. WRIGHT: But for the public, when they see it and they're
trying to identify who is the innkeeper, who is listed as the innkeeper
on that website?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: That is me.
MR. WRIGHT: That's all I have. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any further?
MR. PERLOW: Just argument when you're ready.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MR. PERLOW: We're talking about, as I stated before, going
strictly by what the code says. And that was the concern of this board
last time, so we looked at this very carefully.
In Estate District E, what is allowed as a matter of right? What's
allowed as a matter of right is that you get to use your home as a
single-family dwelling.
Based upon the testimony here, that's exactly what the
Rossomandos use the property for. It's a permitted use. It's a use as of
right. It's a single-family dwelling that they use for their own
purposes.
Also allowed is an accessory use under B 1 . And, again, that
states uses and structures that are accessory and incidental to uses
permitted as of right.
So we've established that there's a definition in the code, and
there's a staff clarification that temporary sleeping quarters constitute
an accessible use. It doesn't say anything in there about renting or not
renting. So we can't read into that. It says, you can use those rooms
as accessory uses on a temporary basis, and that's what he does. And
if it's temporary and incidental to the primary reason for the use of the
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property, you -- that is allowed specifically in the Estate district.
So what Mr. Rossomando does with that property is he has a
single-family dwelling that he uses as an accessory use. On occasion
he rents rooms.
Again -- and I have to emphasize this, it can't be constituted as a
hotel. I don't believe any member of the board would think that this is
a hotel. There are no signs. He doesn't accept credit cards. He goes
on vacation with his family. He rents it when he wants to rent it. It's
not a hotel.
Again, I don't think -- I think it's ridiculous to pose this as a hotel.
It is what it is. It's his house. Once in a while he rents out rooms on a
temporary basis, which is considered an accessory use under the Land
Development Code, which is incidental, which is permitted.
And, again, we're going strictly by what's here. We're not
reading anything else into it. I know the board is concerned about
what we read into these statutes and these regulations.
If it fits within this definition, he can do it. But they're trying to
bring up this issue of getting monies and renting and the homestead.
That's not what's before the board. What's before the board is, is he
doing what he can do within the boundaries of the zoning and, clearly,
he is based upon the testimony that not only Mr. Rossomando has
given, but based upon the testimony of the witnesses from my brother
here.
So I don't think there's any question. He's doing what he can do
based upon the statute and the rules and regulations in the ordinances.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any comments, Jeff?
MR. WRIGHT: Yes, just closing comments here.
First of all, you can't have more than one family on a
single-family home (sic) in the Estates. They're advertising today,
right now as I speak, for more than one family. They're saying, come
on. We have rooms available for you. That there is a violation.
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In addition, according to the LDC definition of hotel, which I
have on the screen, a home is being used as a hotel under this
definition when it, quote, is offering transient lodging
accommodations normally on a daily rate to the general public. The
advertisement in Al offered -- let me just make sure I match this up
with the definition -- transient lodging accommodations, normally on
a daily rate, for the general public.
They're a hotel under the LDC. It's not a permitted use, it's not
an accessory use, and it's not a conditional use. It's prohibited under
Section 2.02.03, and I ask that you find accordingly.
Thank you.
MR. PERLOW: If I could address one thing that was mentioned.
To say that guests living there -- are living there because they're
sleeping there on a temporary basis, therefore, they're out of
compliance with the code is preposterous. According to that
definition, that if you have guests staying in your condo it's more than
a single-family dwelling because there's guests coming in.
These people are coming there on a temporary basis. They're not
living there. And there's a difference between guests coming in on a
temporary basis and guests living there.
The code references that it's allowable as an accessory use for
guests to stay there on a temporary basis. That's not living there. So I
really don't think you can take that position reasonably.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'd like to close the public
hearing now and entertain questions from the board.
MR. KELLY: By questions, do you mean we can --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Move your mike up.
MR. KELLY: We can still ask both parties?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. KELLY: I guess the part that I'm wrestling with is taking
this situation outside the context of the case that we're hearing and
applying it to my own life, so -- and trying to see if those scenarios
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would fit these definitions.
So, in other words, if my father decided to stay with me because
we're same family, that would be okay but, yet, if my father's friend
decided to come into town and stay in one of my rooms, that would
not be okay because that's a different family, and I have an issue with
that. That, to me, is just a little too much governmental control on my
own property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are you charging your father's
friend?
MR. KELLY: Now, that comes up -- there's part two of that. So
if you're charging, does that now change the definition? It doesn't.
The definition is still the definition, and maybe that's where the tax
receipt issue comes in. But our order actually references -- and I
specifically looked to this. It references both violations with an "and,"
not an "or."
So it's -- if we find the tax receipt issue not a violation or we find
the ordinance, the LDC violation not a violation, then the entire order
gets strucken and, therefore, they're straight not in violation.
And that's what I'm wrestling with. I'm literally the undecided
voter from the I-4 corridor on this vote because there are these two
issues.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Chris?
MR. HUDSON: I just have one question before we actually get
into discussion and I share some of my thoughts.
But in the previous two times -- pardon me. In the previous
hearing of this case back in the summer and then in the second -- in
the second time when you asked for the rehearing very briefly, both
times there was made mention about time of rental. And in this
particular display, that was never brought up.
So I'm curious, was the county and/or the respondent deliberately
going around that issue that was so contentious in both the original
hearing and the request for a hearing? Can someone just, sort of,
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comment on that, because I'm not going to let that go. Because I think
rental time is also something to consider, because you had actually
mentioned and you used the words "precedent," that we had
unintentionally set a precedent in our hearing back in the summer.
So my question is, what is that precedent? Are we intentionally
flipping that precedent back and saying now you can't rent a room for
one day or two days or three days or five days? Because
professionally and personally I rent houses and rooms all the time for
one day. And I maybe don't do it in the Estates, because I live in the
Estates, but I couldn't fathom knowing that now I can't rent it for a
certain amount of time.
So if you could just, sort of, elaborate on that. Either/or would be
great.
MR. WRIGHT: Well -- and this is something I brought up at the
rehearing. There's a question of what is a transient rental; because I
think we're all clear that a transient rental is kind of a hotel. If you
look at the definition of hotel, again, and apply it to this case, I think it
fits very squarely.
And when it -- and in that definition it says offering transient
lodging accommodations normally on a daily rate to the general
public, and that's what's going on here. We have evidence that they're
offering it on a daily rate.
Now, the inquiry here is, well, what about three days? What
about six days? What about six months? What can I do with my
property? I don't know.
Well, we know that one day is transient, and that's not allowed.
Whether it's 14 days or two months, whatever that timeline is, may be
unclear in some situations, but here it, really in my view, doesn't -- it's
not germane to the case, because we have nightly rentals going on.
Now, if you look at the tourist tax ordinance, it defines transient
as six months or less, and also in our definitions, one that Mr. Perlow
referred to, the destination resort hotel. It says the transient lodging
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facility, parentheses, i.e., that is less than six month occupancy.
So we've kind of-- and I'm not sure what Mr. Perlow's position is
on this, but we've kind of felt that, well, six months or less is a
transient rental. Daily is a slam dunk for a transient rental. And any
argument outside of that is, I think, academic. But it is something
that, I think, needs to be pinned down for homeowners, because right
now -- and I admitted this plainly at the last meeting that there is some
ambiguity in our ordinances.
There is not a definition in our LDC of transient rental, and I
think that there's one in the works right now. And I think it would be
helpful. But when you get down to it, we have a daily rental. It
matches the definition of hotel. Hotel would have to be listed in that
zoning district as a permitted use, and it's not. They're allowed to
have homes.
And Mr. Kelly mentioned applying this to my daily life. He just
mentioned that sometimes he has 10 people coming in and out from all
sorts of places. Personally, I wouldn't like that next door to me.
When you have a single-family home and you look at the zoning uses,
and hotel's not listed, you have an expectation that there's not going to
be a hotel next to you.
So his neighbors have this increased traffic, this nonresidential
activity going on to their detriment and to his benefit. He's breaking
the law, making money to the detriment of the public.
So as far as this question about transient, I think it's a very
important one in laying out what somebody -- actually the timelines
are if they're contemplating a six-month rental or an eight-month
rental or a two-month rental, whether or not they can do it and what
the requirements might be.
But in this case we have a daily rental, and under any
interpretation that's a transient rental. And, again, if it's squarely hotel,
it's not allowed in this zoning district.
MR. HUDSON: Can I follow up? Just to follow up.
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In general, I think you're spot on with the daily rental. Though --
although it might be weak evidence, the website you provided is
clearly evidence. It's a weak evidence because those are form pages.
So the questioning about the innkeeper was, I think, a little bit
abrasive because it is a form field. Now, he could have selected a
different website that probably didn't say innkeeper. So there is that.
But so, you know, we find him in violation -- and this is more to
the board. If he was found in violation, I mean, the guy could abate
the violation, technically, by turning it into a three-day rental, because
that definition isn't there, right? So you go and find him in violation,
and he turns around and he operates the business in a brand new way
with a three-day rental.
MR. WRIGHT: Well, I think that if it was anything less than six
months, we'd be dealing with this exact same violation.
MR. HUDSON: I get that. But then you might as well just
round up almost every person or owner in the Estates.
MR. PERLOW: That is correct. And owning condos and places
everywhere.
MR. MIESZCAK: Public hearing is closed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The public hearing is closed.
They'll answer questions that are provided to them.
MR. PERLOW: And if I could respond to that question just for a
moment, I think the most important thing said in response to that
question is -- and this is my brother speaking -- there is not a
definition in the LDC of transient rental. So he wants to establish a
definition, or he wants this board to establish a definition. So is the
board going to establish a definition of a transient rental as being one
day --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think the definitions are on the
visualizer right now.
MR. PERLOW: Well, he just stated that there is no definition in
the LDC of a transient rental. So I think what we're left to do is, again,
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to go back to what the code says. And today, have we established --
just today, just on this case, have we established that Mr. Rossomando
has a single-family dwelling there as his primary use, he's using as a
matter of right, and accessory use, once in a while, he rents rooms, and
it's incidental to the primary use?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Mr. Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here's the thing. You've referred back to
condos that are being rented, and they may be rented, and you
provided in Exhibit 3 different condos that are -- offering as one week
and so forth.
Well, more than likely, those places that are being rented out as a
weekly rental, the person that owns the unit's not there. Like Regatta,
I know for a fact, does have rentals that are one-week rentals, but the
owners are not there. So it's still a single-family residence, per se.
Only one family is living there at a time; whereas, in this particular
case, there's one family living in there, and there's a separate family
entity living in the house, too.
So I look at this strictly with this definition, and I feel there is a
violation. That's my personal belief. There is a violation with just
strictly no more than one family.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: As far as that family issue's concerned that was
brought up here before, you can have friends staying with you,
nonrelatives, and they can be staying for two days, three days, one
night, they can be staying for a week. Are they living with you? I
don't know anyone would consider that living with you. They're
staying with you on a temporary basis using temporary guest quarters
and guestrooms, and that's within -- that's an accessory use.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I don't want to get into a
semantic discussion. More questions?
MR. MIESZCAK: I know the first time around I voted no, and I
still feel that way. It's a single-family area. And the difference is, if
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this is allowed and then the next-door neighbor does the same thing all
the way down around the block, you've really overpopulated an area.
That's why they have single-family developments.
And so that's what it's for. And I'm sure when people buy a
home, they know it's a single-family neighborhood.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would agree with that comment.
MR. MIESZCAK: So that's what I don't understand what this
entire thing's all about, because could you imagine if everybody in
that whole neighborhood decided, wow, he can do it, we're all going
to do it. What are you going to have -- what kind of neighborhood
would you have? It would be overcrowded.
So I'm still sticking with the same way I voted the first time, and
I vote no.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we haven't called for the vote
yet or a motion.
MR. MIESZCAK: I just want you to know my opinion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Mr. L'Esperance, do you have any
opinions?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would echo his opinions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any other questions from the
board, except from me? I haven't made my comments yet.
When I look at the LDC, I see compelling reasons to deny the
Rossomandos use as an inn. When I see the ad that's on the Internet, it
shows it as an inn. I don't think there's any question about that. If you
wanted to -- I wanted to address Mr. Kelly with the "and" or the "or."
I don't believe they have a tax receipt, so that "and" would even carry
there for both of it. There's no tax receipt, and it's being used as an inn.
So that's my thought on it.
And I'll accept a motion from the board.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I call the question.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We're going to take a -- oh,
we don't have a motion yet. Do you want to make a motion?
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MR. L'ESPERANCE: I move that the respondents be held in
violation of the LDC.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do we
have a second?
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MR. KELLY: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, it carries with Mr. Kelly
voting in the negativity (sic).
MR. MIESZCAK: It's your last vote.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Maybe.
MR. PERLOW: Thank you.
MR. MIESZCAK: He's retiring.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you.
MR. MIESZCAK: I'm kidding. He's retiring.
MR. KELLY: Is there an order to go along with that --
MS. BAKER: Yes.
MR. KELLY: -- or are we just holding the existing order?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Now, I have a recommendation if you
guys want to --
MS. BAKER: The original order was found not in violation.
MR. KELLY: Right, correct.
MS. BAKER: So you found them now in violation, so we have a
recommendation.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Would you like to see that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. The recommendation is that the
Code Enforcement Board orders the respondent to pay all operational
costs in the amount of$80 incurred in the prosecution of this case
within 30 days and abate all violations by ceasing all prohibited
business, lodging activities, including advertising associated with this
Estates zoned property within blank amount of days of this hearing, or
a fine of blank amount will be imposed for each day the violation
continues.
MR. KELLY: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes, Mr. Kelly.
MR. KELLY: For the respondents. Do you have any booked
guests in the next couple of weeks?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes.
MR. KELLY: How far out do you have them booked?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: March.
MR. KELLY: I say -- I say try to give them at least 60, 90 days.
You know, after that, probably would be --
MR. ROSSOMANDO: There's only a few in that -- this interim.
MR. KELLY: I'm just concerned, people have a flight booked.
They thought that this was going to be all good. I was going to try to
give him some more time to get those immediate guests --
MR. MIESZCAK: I would think no more bookings, that that
would end it, and then it wouldn't inconvenience anybody that's
already planning their vacation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is it possible for you to let code
enforcement know what bookings you have on the books right now
and then establish this subsequent to that?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I would object to that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
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November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: No more bookings.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I have --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's no more bookings.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I have a suggestion for
filling in the blanks for the recommendation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Go ahead.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I suggest that the Court -- that the board
consider an $80 expense/cost as proposed for expenses. I also suggest
that the property, within 30 days of this hearing -- no more activities
within 30 days of this hearing or a fine of$200 per day be imposed,
and a caveat, if a caveat can be added, perhaps No. 3, that no more
bookings be allowed as of this date of this hearing.
MR. PERLOW: Isn't that in conflict with the provision before
that, but within 30 days, no activities?
MR. LEFEBVRE: That's -- so if there's anyone existing within
the next 30 days --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: That's my intent.
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- they can -- they'll still be able to stay, but
we don't want any additional bookings.
MR. PERLOW: But what if somebody is booked out 90 days or
120 days?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Then that's not going to be allowed.
MR. LEFEBVRE: That will not be allowed. So if they get a call
or email today, they -- and they want to book for any more than 30
days out, they can't. That's what we're saying.
MR. PERLOW: And, again, if somebody is already booked for
outside of 30 days, how is that handled?
MR. LEFEBVRE: That would be -- they would be in violation.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: That's my intent.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: That isn't fair.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you want me to repeat
that? Eighty dollars for costs, 30 days. So if you have any bookings
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November 29, 2012
within the next 30 days, that's okay.
MR. PERLOW: That's a retroactive -- that's a retroactive
application of your decision. These people are already booked --
MS. ROSSOMANDO: Yes.
MR. PERLOW: -- and they're already scheduled to stay there.
You're giving your decision today and having it apply to people that
he already contracted with previously. He could be sued for breach of
contract. The property is already booked for those days. I would ask
that it exclude the already-existing bookings.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If he had bookings for five years
from now, would you say the same thing?
MR. PERLOW: But he doesn't. He doesn't. You know, that's
preposterous. He has bookings through March. He stated that.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, I don't know when those bookings were
made, but he was aware of this potential violation back in February.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: But in June we were allowed to do this.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: In June we were -- you said we weren't
in violation.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: You gave us authorization in June to
continue to do this.
MR. PERLOW: They were found not in violation in June.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: That's right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But then the case was brought back in front
of you, too.
MR. PERLOW: There was no finding.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: There was no decision.
MR. PERLOW: There was no decision.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: May I inquire as to Jean's opinion on this,
please?
MS. RAWSON: Well, I can't tell you how to rule. You've,
obviously, found him in violation. Now you just have to put a period
of time in there that they cease all bookings and cease all prohibited
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November 29, 2012
business activities that you think is reasonable under the
circumstances. I can't give you the number of days. I mean, you --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, I think that Lionel had an
excellent suggestion that no more bookings will be accepted. I guess
that should be immediate.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Number three.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So we know what's on your books
now and you can let the county know -- is that okay with the county to
let us know what bookings exist going forward, and then treat it as
such? Yes.
MR. KELLY: Can't we just give him four months, and that
would cover the March time frame?
MR. LETOURNEAU: The county would be okay with -- if--
the end of March would be fine with the county at this point.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would be amenable to change that from
30 days to a four-month period of time.
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll second that motion.
MR. KELLY: Hold on.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any discussion on that?
MR. WRIGHT: Mr. Chair, if I may, I just want to make clear
that as of today, no more bookings.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: That's Caveat No. 3, correct.
MR. WRIGHT: Okay. I just want to make sure that's clear.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Can we also put in there, maybe ask that
the advertising be taken down immediately so there's no --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. I mean, if you have no more
bookings, what's the point?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I agree with that. Amendment to my
motion, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let me see if I have this now.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And also include, too -- oh, I didn't --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
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November 29, 2012
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, you want me to read that in, too,
right now?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If you --
MR. LETOURNEAU: The respondent must notify the code
enforcement investigator when the violation has been abated in order
to conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation using any methods to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And let me -- $80 court
costs, if you will, 120 days, that's the four months, and effective
immediately you'll try to pull that ad down from the Internet. Doesn't
make any sense if you're not going to be -- no new bookings as of
today.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: That ad that they referred to is due next
week to be renewed. I will let them know not to renew it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIESZCAK: Fair enough.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: There's another website that is renewable
next November. I will modify that website to reflect the decision of
this board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PERLOW: One question I have. Is there going to be any
reference in the order as to the time frame of the rental? That's
something that's been discussed. We can't rent it at all to anyone for
any length of time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MR. PERLOW: We can't rent it for over six months either?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I guess we would cross that bridge
when we get to it. We're talking about --
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November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: It's a single-family.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is what we've heard today.
This is the transient use, which is under six months.
MR. PERLOW: Is that going to be in the order that it's anything
under six months?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any intent on renting
the rooms for over six months?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: No, I don't.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Then what are we talking about
here?
MR. PERLOW: Well, I'm asking -- I'm asking if it's going to be
in the order that he's prohibited from renting the property for under six
months.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Whatever it says in the LDC carries.
So that's what we live by.
Jean, do you have any comments on that?
MS. RAWSON: I don't think that the LDC specifically says
under six months.
MR. PERLOW: It doesn't say anything specific at all.
MS. RAWSON: That's right.
MR. PERLOW: That's what we've been arguing here.
MS. RAWSON: So you can't make a law.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right. That's why I said the LDC.
Whatever it says, it says.
MR. PERLOW: Which it doesn't say anything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It will continue to not say it then.
MR. KELLY: It will not specifically state.
MR. MIESZCAK: What was the fine amount?
MR. WRIGHT: If I may suggest, the word "transient" is
something that would be safe to use rather than specifying a time
period.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: No more transient bookings as of
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November 29, 2012
immediately.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WRIGHT: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Jean, we'll leave that to you to write
it up.
MS. RAWSON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So we have a motion, and the
motion is 80 days court costs --
MR. KELLY: Eighty dollars.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Eighty dollars, I'm sorry; a dollar a
day.
MR. MIESZCAK: 120 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One hundred twenty days,
$200-a-day fine after the 120 days.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: And Item No. 3, no more transient
bookings as of immediately.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No more transient bookings
effective today, tomorrow, or whenever you -- well, no more bookings
regardless of what your site has on it. Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: How about the website, websites?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: He said the website's going to be
down by next week.
Okay. All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KELLY: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. PERLOW: May I have a moment? She's telling me the
website can't come down.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: There's two things there on the web.
The one website that Mr. Wright had shown is due for renewal
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November 29, 2012
December 8th. I'll tell them not to renew that.
The other website is renewed next -- on November. I will
modify that website to reflect the decisions of this board, and it will
say right on the first page.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I believe this is the website you're
referring, Dream Come True?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: Yes, it is.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So for clarification, what will be on this
website now? Reflecting our ruling, what's it going to state?
MR. ROSSOMANDO: It will state that we are no longer --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Permitted.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: -- permitted to --
MR. LEFEBVRE: So just take the site down. I mean, that
would be probably --
MS. ROSSOMANDO: We don't --
MR. HUDSON: They don't own the site.
MR. ROSSOMANDO: I'm going to use that as a blog.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: We don't think it --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. There are no more rentals as
of immediately regardless if your website comes down on the 8th or
9th. So if someone calls you Saturday morning and said I'd like to --
you can no longer do that, okay?
MR. PERLOW: They understand that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: Hello. My name is Colleen
Rossomando. I just want to --
MR. KELLY: Wait.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The public hearing is closed.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: Well, I wanted to address what you just
said. We're not going to take our website down. We're going to
clarify it. Our own personal website we should be allowed to continue
to have with a modification that says we are no longer renting rooms.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's fine.
MS. ROSSOMANDO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I called for the vote before.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MR. KELLY: (Raises hand.) I mean, aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Carries unanimously.
MR. KELLY: What about comments?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You have a comment?
MR. KELLY: (Witness nods head.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. KELLY: I have a comment. I spent the last seven years in
affordable house. I'm now on the State Housing Authority Board,
which is a gubernatorial appointment.
And I wonder if we couldn't rush the -- continue the amendments
to the LDC so that we get some more clarification on this. Because I
see a couple things coming up in the head row that I'd just like to add
to the record.
Because of the foreclosure situation, there are a number of people
whose credit's been wrecked and they're unable to secure financing to
buy a home; therefore, they are renters. We can see now that the
prices of renting are shooting up and that the opportunity for them to
rent out rooms or guesthouses -- which isn't the case here -- but
guesthouses would probably be beneficiary for our county.
Additionally, bed and breakfasts are that cute-type homely
atmosphere where people can come, which would benefit our
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November 29, 2012
community with tourist dollars so that they can take advantage --
tourists can take advantage of the beauty of the area while spending
their money here.
And I think with the economy rebounding and, furthermore, the
limitations that we have on impact fees and some of the shyness of
land and so forth, I think that finding a way to work with people such
as the respondents to make this all legal would be fantastic for our
community.
MR. WRIGHT: Well -- and if I may respond. There's a new
structure with the Growth Management Plan and implementation of
LDC cycles, and we have a lot more flexibility to move things onto
the LDC cycles. We're not confined to two cycles year.
So I will, today, send an email to the appropriate LDC people,
Caroline Cilek and probably Ray, saying please hurry up on that -- on
that update to the LDC.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You can lobby that before
the County Commissioners, Mr. Kelly.
MR. KELLY: I'm done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you very much.
MR. PERLOW: Thank you.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: As you were saying, Jen.
MS. BAKER: Next case, Case No. 3, Case CESD20120008679,
Terry J. Kramer.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. BAKER: This is in reference to violation of Collier County
Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section
10.02.06(B)(1)(a).
Description of violation: Permit No. 2006014872 for a steel
building, and Permit No. 2004080864 for a pool and electric, have
both expired without all required inspections and the issuance of a
certificate of completion/occupancy.
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November 29, 2012
Location/address where violation exists: 825 11th Street
Southwest, Naples, Florida, 34117; Folio No. 37014480003.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Terry J. Kramer, 65 Perch Street, Haines City, Florida,
33844.
Date violation first observed: June 6, 2012.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: August
25, 2012.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: September 23, 2012.
Date of reinspection: November 8, 2012.
Results of reinspection: The violation remains.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Chris, you're on.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you. I would like to present case
evidence in the following exhibits: One photograph dated August 14,
2012, and one aerial photograph from the Collier County Property
Appraiser's Office dated November 8, 2012.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion to accept it.
MR. KELLY: Yeah, so moved.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion by --
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- Mr. Kelly.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second by Mr. Lefebvre to
accept the exhibit.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
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November 29, 2012
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. AMBACH: I received a complaint about the condition of
the property at the office that the property in question had been
abandoned for some time. After researching the property, I noticed
the property was in lis pendens, and researching in the permits, I
observed two expired permits, one for the pool and the second for a
large steel building in the rear of the property.
Due to the fact both permits were obtained by licensed
contractors at the time, I forwarded my findings to Reggie Smith, a
contractors licensing compliance officer for Collier County. He was
able to determine the contractor for the steel building was no longer in
business; however, the pool contractor was currently active.
He was working with the pool contractor. An extension was
granted by the building official on the pool permit for a remaining
final inspection and permit fees to be paid by October 31, 2012.
To date the permitting issues remain on the property, and the
pool contractor failed to call in the final inspection and pay the
outstanding fees associated with the permit. The case was then
prepared for today's hearing.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is the property occupied?
MR. AMBACH: It's not.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any questions from the
board?
MR. KELLY: Is there an active investigation through licensing
against --
MR. AMBACH: Yes, sir, there is.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Motion to find them in
violation?
MR. KELLY: Make a violation -- make a motion that a violation
exists.
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November 29, 2012
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Do you have a recommendation, Chris?
MR. AMBACH: I do, sir, that the Code Enforcement Board
orders the respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of
$80.57 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days and
abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier County building
permits or demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of
completion/occupancy within blank days of this hearing or a fine of
blank dollars per day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator
when the violations have been abated in order to conduct a final
inspection to confirm abatement. If the respondent fails to abate the
violation, the county may abate the violation using any method to
bring the violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order,
and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to take a shot
at filling in the blanks?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'll take a shot at it. Sixty days,
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November 29, 2012
$80.57 cost, 60 days for -- or a fine of$250 a day after that.
Can I get a second on that motion?
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, Chris.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: And, Mr. Chair, Case No. 4, CEVR20120008514,
Terry J. Kramer, is being withdrawn.
So the next case will be No. 11 --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we have to modify our -- this
being withdrawn?
MR. KELLY: I don't think so, not if the county withdraws.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. BAKER: I don't think so.
MR. MIESZCAK: They can withdraw anytime.
MS. BAKER: So the next case is No. 11, Case
CESD20120012127, Gregory Lynn Thompson and Misty Lou
Thompson.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. BAKER: This is in reference to violation of Collier County
Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section
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November 29, 2012
10.02.06(B)(1)(a).
Description of violation: A historically permitted steel building
in the rear yard now missing walls and doors and completely altered
from its originally permitted state.
Location/address where violation exists: 181 23rd Street
Southwest, Naples, Florida, 34117; Folio 36960760001.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Gregory Lynn Thompson and Misty Lou Thompson, 181
23rd Street Southwest, Naples, Florida, 34117.
Date violation first observed: August 15, 2012.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: August
23, 2012.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: September 21, 2012.
Date of reinspection: November 8, 2012.
Results of reinspection: The violation remains.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Before we go on, the case No. 10,
Perez, did we skip that by accident?
MS. BAKER: I did.
MR. AMBACH: That's okay. We can do that one next.
MS. BAKER: We can go back to it after this one.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a motion to
change the agenda?
MR. KELLY: Motion to amend.
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion to amend. We have a
motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
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November 29, 2012
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MR. AMBACH: Are we on Perez?
MS. BAKER: No, we're on Thompson, No. 11 .
MR. AMBACH: All set? I would like to present case evidence
in the following exhibits: Two photographs dated August 14, 2012,
and three photographs dated August 21, excuse me, 2012.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept the exhibits.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. AMBACH: I received the compliant from the neighboring
property owner who advised the once-permitted structure next door
had been stripped of all walls and doors exposing the electric within,
and he felt it was a health and safety hazard.
I researched the property and found it to be in pre-foreclosure,
and the structure had been legally permitted however completely
altered without obtaining all required Collier County permits to do so.
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November 29, 2012
A notice of violation was issued and case was forwarded to our
foreclosure specialist. After no response from the owner or the bank,
this case was prepared for today's hearing.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can I ask you a question on that
picture there?
MR. AMBACH: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that an electrical box that I see?
MR. AMBACH: It is, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And what kind of cable is going
throughout the place?
MR. AMBACH: Oh, boy. I can't get that close to it. The
photographs were taken with the permission of the neighboring
property. It's in the rear yard. That was about the closest I could get.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: The property is not occupied?
MR. AMBACH: It's not occupied, no, sir.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Is the FP&L off or on?
MR. AMBACH: I'm not sure, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: As far as a danger -- a hazard there,
that would be an interesting thing to know.
MR. AMBACH: You know, the neighbor's concerned with the
electric --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I can understand.
MR. AMBACH: -- and with the fact that, you know, the walls
and doors, he doesn't feel it's -- you know, he feels if a hurricane
comes through, it could --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, it won't blow the walls down.
Do you have more pictures?
MR. AMBACH: Just the ones that she showed. Did you --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You showed two, and I think you
said you had three more. Yeah, we saw that one.
MR. AMBACH: That's a picture, you know, of the whole
structure. Then these photographs here are copies that I made of the
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November 29, 2012
original permit to show that the permit was originally -- that the
structure was originally permitted.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. AMBACH: And what it used to look like.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that a violation exists.
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second that
a violation exists.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. MIESZCAK: Recommendation?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have a recommendation?
MR. AMBACH: I do. That the Code Enforcement Board orders
the respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of$80.57
incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days and abate all
violations by obtaining all required Collier County building permits or
demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of
completion/occupancy within blank days of this hearing, or a fine of
blank dollars per day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator
when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a final
inspection to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
Page 95
November 29, 2012
abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody like to take a shot
at filling in the blanks?
MR. MIESZCAK: Motion to pay the fine of$80.57 --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right.
MR. MIESZCAK: -- 60 days, with a $200 fine.
MR. KELLY: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you, Chris.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: Okay. Going back to No. 10, Case
CESD20120006147, Josse M. Perez and Isabel Perez.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. BAKER: This is in reference to violation of Collier County
Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section
10.02.06(B)(1)(a).
Description of violation: An unpermitted window added to the
garage along with a large hole in the garage wall with an A/C unit
Page 96
November 29, 2012
within.
Location/address where violation exists: 110 Wilson Boulevard
South, Naples, Florida, 34117; Folio 37221090008.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Jose M. Perez and Isabel Perez, 110 Wilson Boulevard
South, Naples, Florida, 34117.
Date violation first observed: April 24, 2012.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: August
28, 2012.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: September 25, 2012.
Date of reinspection: October 3, 2012.
Results of reinspection: The violation remains.
MR. AMBACH: For the record, Chris Ambach, Collier County
Code Enforcement. I would now like to present case evidence in the
following exhibits: One photograph dated April 24, 2012; one photo
dated November 26, 2012, showing the blueprint of the home's
exterior; and a violation determination letter from Thomas DeGram,
the building official for Collier County.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to accept. Do we
have a second?
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second, Mr. Lavinski.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
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November 29, 2012
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. AMBACH: I received a complaint that the garage at the
property had been converted to a living space without first obtaining
all required Collier County building permits.
After making a site visit, I observed the only changes to the
garage were the addition of a window and a large hole in the wall
housing a portable A/C unit.
My research shows no permits were obtained for the
improvements.
I made contact with the owner, who admitted the improvements
were made for her in-laws who were living in the garage at one time.
She stated the garage was no longer being used for living
purposes, and I was allowed entry to confirm.
I issued a notice of violation for improvements, and the case was
forwarded to our foreclosure investigator.
After no response from the owner or the bank, this case was
prepared for today's hearing.
What you see in front of you there is the photograph I took of the
record of permit for the house showing what it had originally looked
like when it was permitted.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you confirm that there's nobody
living in that space?
MR. AMBACH: Yes, no one in that home. They've moved out
actually some time ago.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The regular dwelling, there are
people living there?
MR. AMBACH: There's no one at all on the property now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. AMBACH: It's completely abandoned, and it is secured.
She locked the doors before she left, so --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Could we get a motion from
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November 29, 2012
the board whether any violation exists?
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that a violation does exists.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second that
a violation exists.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Passes unanimously.
MR. KELLY: Recommendation?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Recommendation, Chris?
MR. AMBACH: That the Code Enforcement Board orders the
respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of$80.86
incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days and abate all
violations by obtaining all required Collier County building permits or
demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of
completion/occupancy within blank days of this hearing, or a fine of
blank dollars per day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator
when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a final
inspection to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all costs of
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November 29, 2012
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to take a shot
at filling in the blanks?
MR. KELLY: Make a motion that we accept the county's
recommendation with the time frame of 60 days and $200 per day.
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And that the $80.86 be paid within
30 days?
MR. KELLY: Yes, part of the recommendation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. BAKER: Next case, moving on to No. 5, old business,
Letter A, motion for imposition of fines/liens. Number 3, Case
CENA20120006825, Gwendolyn Green.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. LETOURNEAU: Once again, for the record, Jeff
Letourneau, Collier County Code Enforcement.
Original violation was of the Collier County Code of Laws and
Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article VI, Section 54-181 . Violation
location is 3675 10th Avenue Southeast, Naples, Florida; Folio No.
41044640003.
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November 29, 2012
Violation description: Litter consisting of, but not limited to,
refuse, clothes, boxes, assorted metals, plastics and wood, tires, et
cetera.
Past order, on August 23, 2012, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinance and ordered to
correct the violation. See the attached order of the board, OR4853,
Page 1144, for more information.
The property is not in compliance with the Code Enforcement
Board orders as of November 29, 2012.
The fines and costs to date are described as the following: Order
Item No. 1 and 2, fines at the rate of$500 per day for the period
between August 31, 2012, and November 29, 2012, totaling 91 days,
for the total amount of$45,500. Fines continue to accrue.
Order Item No. 5, operational costs of$80.29 have not been paid.
Total amount to date: $45,580.29.
MR. MIESZCAK: Motion to impose the fine.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
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November 29, 2012
MS. BAKER: Next case, No. 4, Case CEVR20110014528, Leon
D. and Joan McCaskey.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. JONES: For the record, David Jones, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
Violations: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances,
Chapter 54, Article VI, Section 54-185(c).
Location: 1335 Center Lane, Naples, Florida; Folio No.
75460840000.
Description of the violation: Presence of Collier County
prohibited exotic vegetation including, but not limited to, Brazilian
pepper, air potato, downy rose myrtle within a 200-foot radius of an
improved property.
Past orders: On February 23, 2012, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a findings of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to
correct the violation. See the attached order of the board, OR4772,
Page -- I'm sorry -- Book 4772, Page 1315, for more information. The
property is in compliance with the Code Enforcement Board orders as
of October 15, 2012.
The fines and costs to date are described as the following: Order
Items No. 1 and 2, fines at a rate of$150 per day for the period
between August 22, 2012, through October 15, 2012, which is 55
days, for the total of$8,250.
Order Item No. 4, abatement costs of$3,415 have not been paid.
Order Item No. 5, operational costs of$80.57 have not been paid.
Total amount to date is $11,745.57.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. It's a little unusual -- I
think this is the first case I've seen where they have abated, the county
has abated the exotic plants.
MR. JONES: Yeah, yeah. It's one of the few.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can I get a motion from the
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November 29, 2012
board?
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to impose the fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion. Do we have a --
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second, Mr.
Lavinski.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, David.
MR. JONES: You're welcome.
MS. BAKER: Next case, No. 5, Case CENA20120003516,
Steven J. Martarano.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. LETOURNEAU: Violation: Collier County Code of Laws
and Ordinances, Chapter 54, Articles VI, Section 54-181.
Violation location is 211 20th Street Southeast, Naples, Florida;
Folio No. 39387240004.
Violation description: Construction debris dumped on this
Estates zoned property.
Past order: On July 26, 2012, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a findings of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinance and ordered to
correct the violation. See the attached order of the board, OR4825,
Page 103
November 29, 2012
Page 902, for more information.
The property is in compliance with the code enforcement as of
October 10, 2012.
The fines and costs to date are described as the following: Order
Items No. 1 and 2, fines at the rate of$100 a day for the period
between September 25, 2012, to October 10, 2012, totaling 16 days,
for the total amount of$1,600.
Order Item No. 5, operational costs of$80.57 have been paid.
Total amount to date: $1,600.
The county recommends full abatement of fines, as the violation
is abated and operational costs are paid.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think the total amount is 6,600.
MR. LEFEBVRE: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Because it was abated on the 10th of October.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Move to accept the county's
recommendation.
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion, and we
have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MS. BAKER: Next case, No. 6, Case CESD20110017435,
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November 29, 2012
Rookery Bay Business Park, LLC.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. JONES: Again, for the record, David Jones, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
Original violations: Collier County Land Development Code
04-41, as amended, Section 10.2.13(f).
Violation location: No site address. There's a folio, which is
732800002, located in Naples, Florida.
Description of past orders: Failure to submit PUD monitoring
report. On September 27, 2012, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
findings of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
the violation. See the attached order of the board, OR4844, Page 317,
for more information.
The property is not in compliance with the Code Enforcement
Board orders as of November 29, 2012.
The fines and costs to date are described as the following: Order
Item 1 and 2, fines at a rate of$100 per day for the period between
October 13, 2012, through November 29, 2012, totaling 48 days, for
the total of$4,800. Fine continue to accrue.
Order Item No. 5, operational costs of$80.86 have not been paid.
Total amount to date, $4,880.86.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Have you been in contact with the
respondent?
MR. JONES: No, sir, no. They are not available. I mean, we've
made several attempts to make contact, and --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to impose.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to impose. Do we
have a second?
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second.
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November 29, 2012
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. JONES: Thanks.
MS. BAKER: Next case, No. 7, Case CESD20120004188,
Doreen Bigica.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. LETOURNEAU: Violation is of the Collier County Land
Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(e).
Violation location is 2391 19th Street Southwest, Naples,
Florida; Folio No. No. 45965880003.
Violation description: No Collier County building permits for
garage door converted to double glass doors.
Past order: On October 23, 2012, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a findings of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinance and ordered to
correct the violation. See the attached order of the board, OR4832,
Page 1953, for more information.
The property is not in compliance with the Code Enforcement
Board orders as of November 29, 2012.
The fines and costs to date are described as the following: Order
Items No. 1 and 2, fines at the rate of$250 per day for the period
between October 23, 2012, and November 29, 2012, totaling 38 days,
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November 29, 2012
for the total amount of$9,500. Fines continue to accrue.
Order Item No. 5, operational costs of$81.43 have not been paid.
Total amount to date, $9,581.43.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to impose.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to impose.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
MR. MIESZCAK: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, Jeff.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Thanks, gentlemen.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have any new
business?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any reports?
MS. FLAGG: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Your sign is
covering your head. We couldn't see you hiding in the corner.
MS. FLAGG: Just some current department statistics. Since
November 2008 thru November 18th, the banks and lenders have
expended $3,063,000 to abate code violations in Collier County,
resulting in 2,691 violations abated.
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November 29, 2012
Since July 2009 through November 18th, yourselves, the special
magistrate, and the BCC has waived $8.7 million in code fines.
For the week, for the department, the lenders have expended
4,300, and year to date, which is since October 1st, the lenders have
expended $78,000 to abate code violations. Year to date they've
abated 66 violations.
The number of code case property inspections for the week was
459, for a total of 3,582 since October.
The number of cases closed with voluntary compliance for the
week was 46; 558 since October 1st.
The number of nuisance abatements processed were three for the
week; 80 since October 1st.
The number of bankruptcy documents -- and I shared with
you-all before that the bankruptcies are increasing, which presents a
challenge in that we -- everything stops in a bankruptcy unless we
request a relief from stay from court, and we only do that if there's a
significant health and safety issue.
There were 10 documents received in the week; 60 documents
since October 1st.
The number of property lien searches -- and, again, those are
what the realtors, investors, and community members use to determine
if there are any open code cases on a property before they purchase
the property. There were 115 requested in the week. There's been
806 requested since October 1st.
And in the week there were four lien searches that identified
open code cases. There have been 33 identified since October 1st.
And the time from complaint by the community member to the
first inspection was three days for the week, and then two, average,
since October 1st, and that concludes the report.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Very good. One quick question. On
the abatement, has the county been getting their money when they
abate a particular violation?
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November 29, 2012
MS. FLAGG: Yes. What happens is that the property owner is
given the opportunity to pay the invoice after the county abates. If the
property owner does not pay the invoice, then we file a lien on the
property.
Typically, this is in the case of the foreclosure. So when the
banks come forward, what we have them do is pay off the lien. The
lien will, typically, include, pursuant to the policy, any hard cost, such
as the cost to abate, and then the fines, that $8.7 million is -- the fines
would be waived.
So by creating this process through the implementation of the
blight prevention program, what we're getting is, we're being able to
abate the property so that blight doesn't impact our community. Any
funds that we have to expend -- taxpayers' monies that we have to
expend using this process, we do get reimbursed and still be able to
move the properties through so that we get community members into
homes so we don't have a lot of vacant homes or blight.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Very good, thank you.
I'm going to just skip to -- the next meeting date is January 24,
2013. And then I'll go back to comments.
I have -- we have a member that is leaving us. This is his last
meeting. And any guess who it is, Mr. Kelly? Okay. Why don't you
join me down front.
MR. MIESZCAK: You got a knife?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A gun.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Be nice.
MR. MIESZCAK: Sir, it was a pleasure.
MR. LAVINSKI: Good luck, Kenny.
MR. MIESZCAK: You'll probably be the mayor pretty soon.
MR. LAVINSKI: Are you blessing him or talking to him?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Both. You get to go in the middle.
The code enforcement community would like to present you with
this Certificate of Appreciation. There's been nobody that's been on
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November 29, 2012
the board that I can say more about than Mr. Kelly. He is truly one of
a kind. His compassion outshines anybody that's been on this board.
And we are certainly going to miss him, except for you, Larry.
And we would like you to say a few words.
And, Diane, do you have anything to say?
MS. FLAGG: I just want to echo the chairman's words that we
really appreciate your service to the community, and you've done a
great job. We'll miss you.
MR. KELLY: Thank you. I would just like to say that over the
last seven-and-a-half years I've noticed a changing of the guard. And
when I first came on the board I, myself, as a board member was a
little scared to be on the board, because there was an interpretation
through the community and a reputation of the code enforcement
department. And I've seen an unbelievable turnaround.
I'd like to take credit, but it had nothing to do with me. So I want
to congratulate you on doing a fantastic job. You and your
investigators and supervisors have done a 180, and they are there now
to support the community.
MS. FLAGG: Thank you.
MR. KELLY: And to my fellow board members, I really do
believe we had the best board. And I think it's all of our compassion.
You had said mine, but I really think every one of us are
compassionate about our community and others, and that's why we are
fair in everything that we do.
So thank you. It's been a pleasure serving.
(Applause.)
MR. MIESZCAK: Here comes Air Force 1 to take him back. I
make a motion to adjourn.
MS. FLAGG: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Motion to adjourn.
MR. MIESZCAK: I'll make a motion to adjourn.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
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November 29, 2012
MR. L'ESPERANCE: We'll see you in the community.
MR. KELLY: Motion to adjourn.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. MIESZCAK: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:02 p.m.
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
_i/AV-4441441rf14.■••■._
' :ERT AN, CHAIRMAN
dr
These minutes approved by the Boar. on , as presented
or as corrected .
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY COURT
REPORTING SERVICE, INC., BY TERRI LEWIS, NOTARY
PUBLIC/COURT REPORTER.
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