Code violations at a condemned property in Holmes Beach soon might be solved by demolition.
But questions about the former occupants remain unanswered.
Code compliance supervisor JT Thomas told The Islander March 25 that the property owner of the multifamily building at 2809 Ave. E was expected to apply for a permit to demo the structure, which was deemed a hazard to the public and its inhabitants.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer and city staff condemned the building March 18 after they received an anonymous complaint about the property and discovered a litany of structural hazards following an inspection, including:
- A partially collapsed balcony;
- Dilapidated stairs at the front and back of the building;
- Missing wall panels;
- A deteriorating central structural beam.
The property is owned by developer Shawn Kaleta and Beach to Bay Investments, of which Kaleta is title president, according to sunbiz.org.
The city issued a notice March 18 to Kaleta stating that staff found four code violations at the property and asking him to contact the city within 10 days to create a plan to mitigate the issue.
Thomas said Kaleta had not applied for a demo permit as of March 25 but city staff expected to receive one soon based on previous communications.
He said if the code violations were not addressed by March 28, they would be discussed at the city’s next special magistrate meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
The meeting will be open to the public but will not be accessible on Zoom.
Meanwhile, questions arose about the occupants.
“The tenants are illegal squatters,” attorney Louis Najmy, representing Kaleta for the Najmy-Thompson law firm, told The Islander March 23.
He continued, “We are glad the city removed them. They were hiding in there and we didn’t know they had trespassed.”
However, both former tenants have disputed Najmy’s claim.
Nicole Adams-Vella contested the claim in a March 21 email to Thomas.
“My family and I have not been squatting in the dwelling … Shawn Kaleta is the owner of home and is aware that my family has been residing in the home,” Adams-Vella wrote.
Another tenant, whose name was not provided, explained his situation in a March 21 text to city staff.
“When I moved into Shawn Kalettas (sic) house I gave him 1,500 dollars. There is no rental paper work. I was paying him 900 a month all utilities included. I would have my son’s mother send money to Shawn Kalettas through Venmo,” the message states.
The tenants also said Kaleta shared plans with them to demo the building following its closure.
Thomas said city staff did not obtain proof of rental payments from the tenants but added that the tenants immediately named Kaleta as their landlord when staff inquired.
Code compliance administrator Kim Charron told The Islander March 25 that the property’s interior was set up as if people had been living there for a while — not for a short-term stay.