City settles controversial code compliance case

Since May 29, the official city of Sarasota Twitter account has sent or shared more than 120 tweets regarding a single code compliance case that has generated international attention.

As of Thursday, it appears the high-profile saga has finally come to a close. A special magistrate waived thousands of dollars of fines at a hearing with Marie Louise Sikorski, the 90-year-old property owner at the center of the story.

At the hearing, the magistrate determined that the home at 2144 Webber St. was in compliance with city regulations following recent repairs by licensed contractors, who volunteered their work after the dispute became publicized.

Sikorski drew the attention of residents and non-residents alike after posting signs at her home that stated the city was “trying to steal” her house. The city denied those allegations, stating that the imposition of fines only came following public complaints and years of non-compliance with code and safety standards.

Following Thursday’s hearing, City Manager Tom Barwin said he believed the case had reached a satisfying ending.

“All along, this is the resolution we wanted: for the property to be safe with healthy, livable conditions and to reduce the blight impacting the neighborhood,” Barwin said in a statement. “I’d like to thank the public for their concern and for allowing the process to play out once the facts of the case became known.”