- June 15, 2026
Dear Editor:
At the May 19 Ormond Beach Commission meeting, it was stated a Special Magistrate hearing was scheduled for May 27 regarding the vacant Makai Beach Lodge at 707 S. Atlantic Ave. That hearing was cancelled — then, according to the city’s June 9 Facebook update, the May 27 session was treated as a Zoom meeting because the property owner’s LLC is based in Canada and could not appear in person on short notice.
If it was a meeting and not a formal hearing, why was there no hearing agenda or exhibit packet made available to the public? That lack of documentation undermines transparency at a time when residents deserve clear, timely information about a deteriorating property in our beachfront neighborhood.
The city’s update states the building had been vacant and declining for years and that the May 8 fire made it a safety concern; FPL has since disconnected power and both a city assessment team and an independent engineer report the structure is not in immediate danger. The city also says the new owners — who only took title a few months ago — have local representatives on-site directing cleanup: graffiti removed, debris cleared, fencing contracted, and work underway to secure the site. Code Enforcement and the Fire Marshal are reportedly monitoring progress.
These are positive steps, but they don’t excuse the procedural opacity. Residents need assurance that code enforcement actions are conducted consistently, that enforcement hearings are accessible and documented, and that delay or a change of format for hearings doesn’t become a substitute for public accountability.
I urge the city to publish records for the May 27 session — agendas, exhibits, and any statements submitted by the owner or their representatives — and to clarify why the Special Magistrate hearing was not held in proper form, since it was stated that the Canadian owner has local representation. If Zoom was necessary for logistical reasons, an official hearing record should still be produced and made public. Continued updates on timeline and enforceable milestones for demolition or renovation would also help restore confidence that the property will be brought into full compliance without further delay.
Jennifer Bright
Ormond Beach
Editor's note: Bright is a candidate for Ormond Beach City Commission, running to represent Zone 2. Additionally, the city was given a chance to respond.
The May 27 session was a staff coordination meeting, not a Special Magistrate hearing. It was convened to bring together the technical professionals with direct responsibility for assessing the property's safety and security: Police, fire, the building official, and Neighborhood Improvement and Development. Those are the people who evaluate what building and fire codes require and determine what steps come next. The property owner participated via Zoom, a practical accommodation for a Canadian-based LLC.
Staff coordination meetings are a normal part of city operations. They happen daily, often on short notice, and they are not public proceedings. A staff meeting does not generate a hearing agenda or exhibit packet because it is not a hearing. The city does not open all internal staff coordination sessions to the public, and there is nothing unusual about that.
The Special Magistrate process is a separate and distinct proceeding. It remains available and will be used if circumstances warrant formal enforcement action. Code Enforcement and the Fire Marshal continue to monitor the property. The city will provide public updates through official channels as milestones are reached.
— Deputy City Attorney Ann-Margret Emery
