Developer Steven Baglivo faces multiple municipal court summonses filed by Margate City regarding the Margate Gardens complex at 9708–9712 Ventnor Avenue. Court filings include:
- 7 counts of occupancy without a certificate of occupancy
- 6 counts for dwelling / apartment licenses
- 3 counts for working without zoning permit.
In-person court appearance set for Sept. 14, 2026, at 10:30A.
Density: Baglivo received approval from Margate Planning Board for a 6-unit residential and commercial project. City officials state he instead constructed and leased 12 separate residential units. [1, 2]
Rulings: The New Jersey Superior Court previously granted summary judgment to Margate, ordering Baglivo to reduce the unit density back to the approved six unless he obtains proper variance relief. [1, 2]
Penalties: The new municipal court dates pile local ordinance fines on top of the ongoing high-stakes Chancery Division litigation. [1, 2]
Click to enlarge images.
Make him tear it down!
Do you believe the final result will be a small fine for these summons being issued. Remember Baglivo was one of the biggest supporters and a big $$ contributor to Collins and Horn in the last municipal election. He also may have sourced hardware and local electrical. Solicitor assigned it out because of Conflict of Interest?
I don’t expect a big, tough reprimand for these Summonses.
I disagree. The taxpayers of Margate are paying these legal bills to fight this for 2 years. He stalled this in courts to keep collecting rents for 12 units.
Without a CO and license, not only will he be fined highly, anyone who has rented there in the past may be due some compensation since he tried to make his own zoning rules, parking rules, leasing rules, etc.
I think he pays up, makes it legal again, and sells as quickly as possible.
It has to be hard for him to go out in Margate knowing how he screwed the tax payers of Margate and city officials.
Agreed. After Baglivo, the town officials who turned a blind eye (actually both eyes) need to be investigated: Mayor; Solicitor, Fire Marshall, Zoning Officer: either very inept and need replaced, or knowingly negligent and need “all” held responsible as all most likely all knew at some point. The sad part is all town officials are put in place to help assist work on behalf of the residents to enforce the town rules and ordinances. None of this happened. It should’ve been addressed immediately when first- discovered, most likely by the inspectors.
Regardless of summons and value of penalties the Developer shall perform in accordance with the approvals on file: zoning meeting approval resolution. site plan resolution, Building design plans showing 6 units that meet all appliocable codes.
Move tenants out; reimburse them. Retrofit the building back to the zoning approval of 6 units.
He may need to file another building permit. This is now renovation. The original building permit has expired.
Put back parking for residents of the future 6 units, etc.
We all paid Water and Sewer fees each year. Did he pay for six or eight units?? If only six fees were remitted he owes more $$ to Margate or he criminally stole from all of us! No arrest! Just a smile and a wink while driving around in his fancy car. It’s the Margate way.