Ted Greenberg, NBC 10 News: When she moved in some 3 years ago, Kimberly Graham says Margate Gardens seemed like a great place to live, just blocks from the beach. Then, a red flag surfaced.Â
I couldn’t get insurance for renters because of not having a CO.
That’s a certificate of occupancy, legally required for people to live here. But, Margate officials say the complex never received a final CO, even as tenants continued paying rent.
Late last month, the city hit owner Steve Baglivo with more than 15 notices of violation, including several for having units occupied without a CO.
A CO is the final step to say yes, this building is fit for a building uh to live in, met all the requirements, all the prior approvals, and we’re not there yet.
I’ve been investigating the story for months and interviewed the city’s zoning officer earlier this year.
Have you ever dealt with a situation quite like this? Never.Â
The new charges are the latest chapter in a long-running dispute between Margate and Baglivo. The city says he improperly altered the building’s approved plans for six units by constructing and leasing out 12 instead.Â
On the phone today, Baglivo disputed that. He insists Margate Gardens only has six apartments that are shared.
Margate Commissioner Cathy Horn: Obviously, he lied, but then it was caught.Â
The saga has come up at city commission meetings. So far, in court, judges have sided with the city in its legal quest for compliance.
Margate Solicitor Scott Abbott: We’ve won in court. He has to deconvert it. He converted them illegally.Â
Baglivo insists he’s complied with all requirements, says the building is safe, and accuses the city of refusing to issue a CO because of a political issue. He kept saying everything was okay, everything was going to be fine.
Kimberly Graham had been paying $2,300 bucks a month in rent. She moved out of Margate Gardens almost a year ago.
It would be nice if there was some accountability from him.
Bagliovo is appealing the prior court judgment against him. Those notices of violation that the city recently issued could result in fines and even jail time.
In Margate, I’m Ted Greenberg, NBC 10 News.
Town gave him a C.O. How does it go from 6-12 and no one follows up? Town is small. THAT IS A MAIN STREET.
Does the liquor store in that building have a final CO? Our city government’s system of checks and balances obviously failed here. These are the situations they’re paid to regulate and follow up.
I added a deck to my home in 2011. Members of the Margate Zoning Board actually visited my property prior to construction.
Roger Ruben himself came by during construction. When it was final to be sure I had planted shrubbery, I needed to add to fulfill variance requirements.
My point is: that was just a 10 x 14 deck, 23 inches off the ground.
I would think an apartment building would have warranted the same kind of attention and scrutiny from the zoning board and our inspectors.
Still would like to know how much business the Commission members and the Mayor did through their various business activities with Baglivo over the past 3 years? How much from this specific project? He will get a slap on the wrist because they don’t want him to talk too much. And the next municipal election is in the Spring!! It’s the Margate way!! They want this over!