News

By Sallie James

    A single-family homeowner is asking City Hall to provide a fix for inconsiderate renters he says park on nearby lawns and swales, play loud music and host late-night parties.
    Resident Adam Faustini, who lives in the Caldwell Heights community (off Second Avenue) of Boca Raton, blames unruly college students for disrupting the peace of his neighborhood. Faustini wants the city to enforce code regulations in the hope that such action will stop some of the disturbances.
    “They have antagonized myself and my wife, calling out names, trying to get their dogs to urinate in my yard,” said Faustini, speaking to the City Council on Nov. 25 for the second time (he also complained to the city on Nov. 12). “I don’t know how you can have a single-family-zoned neighborhood … when you allow three separate leases per home.”
    Assistant City Manager Mike Woika said approximately six out of 77 houses in Caldwell Heights appear to be student-occupied, based on student decals on vehicles and conversation with students.
    Code Enforcement has conducted several daytime sweeps of the area since Nov. 5, with two violations being found on the first sweep.
    Faustini is frustrated. “I’m at the short end of my rope. I’m in my own yard, I’m not saying anything to anybody and I’m being harassed,” Faustini said.
    Some cities require renters to register with the city. Boca Raton may explore that option in the future, Woika said.