Introduction to the Controversy
The owners of an assisted living home accused of removing all of its residents to convert to luxury apartments have now racked up $40,000 in fines over the renovations, Fort Lauderdale code enforcement officials said at a meeting Tuesday. Management for Oasis Living Quarters announced the controversial evictions at a meeting in March, according to residents, employees and a state inspection report. As residents moved out, workers began tearing down partitions, demolishing kitchenettes and installing air conditioning units. But the facility never received a permit for the renovations or changed the building’s use from an assisted and independent living home to apartment buildings, according to city officials.
Background on the Evictions
The removals, which included residents who were bedridden or had dementia, also led to a lawsuit and citations from the state over the lack of written notice. Attorneys for Oasis have claimed that it did provide notice. The situation has been highly controversial, with many criticizing the abrupt and allegedly unlawful removal of vulnerable residents to make way for luxury apartments.
Code Enforcement Actions
At a May 27 code enforcement hearing, an angry code enforcement board decided to give the owner of the property, Lauderdale Commercial Blvd Partners LLC, two weeks to comply with code and then begin fining them $1,000 a day if they did not comply. The LLC is connected to Lee and Jay Podolsky, members of a family of notorious landlords in New York City. On June 11, the fines began. By Tuesday, the fines totaled $40,000 and are continuing to increase each day, officials said. Andrew Gebbia, the building inspector, said he visited the property last week and the owners still were not in compliance with code. At that point, the contractor had not submitted applications for plumbing and electrical permits, Gebbia said. As of Tuesday, he had submitted the two applications but both still required additional documents and information.
Current Status of the Property
Asked if the building was occupied, Gebbia said yes, but not the units that were under construction. Half of the property that was once Oasis’ assisted living side is already operating as Waterview luxury apartments. The assisted living residents had first been moved into the other half, then told to leave in March. This rapid transition from an assisted living facility to luxury apartments has raised many questions about the treatment of the former residents and the legality of the conversion process.
Legal Representations and Proceedings
Ariel Grosfeld, an attorney for the Abrams Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, appeared at the Tuesday meeting on behalf of the owners, asking the board to postpone the case until the next meeting because the attorneys for the owners are at trial. She also cited “the convoluted nature of the case, the procedural history, and the irregularities from city staff.” The board voted to postpone the hearing until August and to continue fining the owners $1,000 a day in the meantime. A lawsuit in Broward County Court over the removals remains active. It was originally filed on behalf of a bedridden tenant still living at the facility. She later died shortly after moving out.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding Oasis Living Quarters highlights significant concerns regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, in the context of real estate development and the conversion of assisted living facilities into luxury accommodations. The accumulation of $40,000 in fines for non-compliance with city codes underscores the seriousness of the allegations against the property owners. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be crucial to monitor how the rights of former residents are protected and how city regulations are enforced to prevent similar situations in the future.
FAQs
- Q: What are the owners of Oasis Living Quarters accused of?
A: They are accused of removing all residents to convert the facility into luxury apartments without proper permits or notice. - Q: How much in fines have the owners accumulated?
A: As of the latest reports, the owners have accumulated $40,000 in fines. - Q: Is the property currently occupied?
A: Yes, but not the units under construction. Half of the property is already operating as luxury apartments. - Q: Are there any legal proceedings against the owners?
A: Yes, a lawsuit in Broward County Court over the removals of residents remains active. - Q: What is the current status of the code enforcement case?
A: The hearing has been postponed until August, with fines continuing to accrue at $1,000 per day.
