MELBOURNE, Fla. -- A piece of historic property in Melbourne is at the center of a city investigation after officials say the landowner cleared the land without permission.
- Historic property in Melbourne disturbed
- Work was being done without permits
- City is now investigating the matter
On August 21, 2016, the Elizabeth Eaton House, one of the oldest houses in Melbourne, went up in flames. Fast-forward two years, and the charred home is gone. The property has been cleared.
However, there's something very noticeable on the land where a possible condominium complex may one day stand. The developer who bought the property a couple of months ago cut a swath into the side of the bluff along the riverbank.
The plants and shrubs that were along it are now gone.
The City came to look into the matter, and determined the work had been done without permits through the St. John's Water Management District or the Army Corps of Engineers.
A stop work order was then issued.
"What is going on here? asked John Daly. "Supposedly we protect the Indian River Lagoon. Supposedly we protect that shoreline."
Daly is the president of Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village. That house, which is known as the oldest in town, is located just down the street from the property.
Daly's goal is to preserve it, along with as much of the area along the river as possible. Much of the bluff was designated by archeologists back in the 1950s as a place where Native Americans once lived.
"They acted as fast as they probably could," Daly said. "I am hoping this raises awareness of the need to preserve the bluff."
The city says the developer has until Sept. 14 to put up barriers to stop potential erosion along the river's shoreline.
We spoke to the property owner, Carlo Massaro of Indialantic, who says he has 30-plus years of construction experience in Italy.
Massaro said the homeless were living on the rundown piece of land. He said the grass was so old and full of thorns he needed to hire an excavator to clear it, and was unaware a permit was needed.
Massaro has met with the city and is taking care of the concerns.