Management: Majestic Cove has residents

A representative for Majestic Cove, a condominium complex located at 809 Lakeview Drive, said Thursday it does not have 69 rental units furnished as was attributed to City Councilwoman Margie Rhoades in a news story Thursday.

Rush Nash, on behalf of Act Florida Management Services LLC, said some of the rentals on the property were "long-term" and it currently has only 26 of its 69 units furnished.

"We will have 40 units furnished by Race Week," he said.

Nash said he is an assistant to the property manager Act Florida, a sister company of Ventura Resort Rentals Inc., which holds a resort condominium license for Majestic Cove.

"We are a resort condominium complex," Nash said, distinguishing it from a hotel or motel property.

"We do rent short term at a minimum of three days. We do not do a hotel, motel business. We do not change sheets on a daily basis. We do not have a front desk clerk; it is me; I am on the property when needed, but I wear many hats."

Originally, when the project came before the council, it was supposed to be residential condominium homes, Sebring City Council members argued Tuesday.

Majestic Cove has been renting condominium space on a short-term basis, which four out of five council members and Attorney Bob Swaine believe violates its agreement not to operate as a hotel or motel.

Tuesday, the council instructed Swaine to contact the reported owner of Majestic Cove regarding its complaint.

On June 11, Swaine reportedly sent letters to Arturo Marrero, listed as manager of ELJ Management LLC, also 809 Lake Jackson LLC., stating the city's position on operating as a hotel or motel in R-3 residential.

He advised him on Jan. 28 that "daily rentals" were not permissible.

On Wednesday, Swaine sent Marrero another letter, asking him to respond to his Jan. 28 letter and to include a date and time for representatives from ELJ Management and the city to discuss the issue.

"Council also instructed me to institute a lawsuit against Majestic Cove if no effort to coordinate a meeting is made by February 10, 2011," the letter added.

However, there could be a loophole.

The city's agreement does not appear to mention the term "resort condominium," which is classified separately from the definition of hotel or motel in state statutes.

Both definitions of hotel and motel specified their distinct uses and added that it is "recognized" as a hotel or motel "in the community in which it is situated."

"A resort condominium is any unit or group of units in a condominium or cooperative, or timeshare plan which is rented more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented for periods... (same as above)."