The end of the controversial Holmes Beach treehouse might be right around the corner.
As of June 6, the city had not received a permit application to demolish the unpermitted treehouse at the residence and Angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 Ave. E, owned by Richard and Lynn Tran-Hazen, according to planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor.
The Hazens have less than a month — until July 3 — to demolish the structure.
If they fail to remove the treehouse by then, the city can remove it at the expense of the owners after providing notice of at least 72 hours.
The treehouse was built in 2011, has been at the center of controversy and litigation since 2013, when the city issued code violations for the structure and the property owners filed their first lawsuit.
After more than a decade and a handful of lawsuits, Judge Edward Nicholas of the 12th Circuit Court ruled Feb. 28 that the property owners must remove the treehouse — or the city can step in.
While the property owners appealed Nicholas’ ruling May 7 to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, an order would be required from that court to stay the demolition order.
So far, the appeals court has taken no action on the case.
In the meantime, Nicholas is calling for a status check on the treehouse’s demolition.
He will oversee an 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, compliance status conference over Zoom.
The property owners also must reimburse the city $4,040 for attorneys fees incurred responding to “frivolous and untimely motions” by June 26, according to an April 17 order by Nicholas.
“Failure to do so will result in additional sanctions, including, potentially, incarceration,” Nicholas wrote.
Tran-Hazen wrote in a June 6 email to The Islander that they had hired a contractor to handle the demolition process.
“We have a demolition contractor to do all the required permits and documentation. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has sent a field demo permit with conditions. I’m waiting for the contractor to complete the next steps,” she wrote.
Let’s keep our island beautiful and safe for all to enjoy.
Most importantly let’s maintain Home Rule!!
It’s time to start following the rules, like everyone else.