Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/356321
Violation if there is no voluntary compliance, a Special Magistrate Evidentiary Hearing, a Special Magistrate Penalty Hearing and a lien on the property. The county enables a Special Magistrate "in an ordinary situation to impose a fine up to $250 per day for the first violation and $500 per day for a repeat violation," he added. However, upon the recommendation of a Code Enforcement officer, the fine can go up to $15,000 per violation "if the Special Magistrate finds the violation to be irrepara- ble or irreversible in nature." THE APRIL 16 HEARING During the April 16 Special Magistrate hear- ing, county staff presented testimony and evidence to show that the owners of the Manasota Key property and representa- tives of Coastline Tree Services Inc. and Environmental Turnkey Solutions LLC had engaged in "clearing and filling activities [that] resulted in a large area of mangrove swamp being clear cut and several truckloads of new fill material [being] placed on the [property]," Special Magistrate Zack's order reads. County staff also observed unauthorized fill material on the uplands within the WNCA jurisdic- tional area, "as well as a bulldozer stuck within the filled wetlands" on the property, the order adds. "No building permit, WNCA permit, earthmoving permit or earthmoving exemption was obtained for these activities," Zack wrote. The Maurers testified and presented evidence asserting that their activities were exempt A shot taken from a different angle shows the mangroves on the ground and fill that has been brought onto the property. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader August 1, 2014 Page 49