BELLEAIR BEACH - The city council met Monday night for a lengthy meeting where a good deal of consideration was given to an ordinance pertaining to maintenance of homes. Other issues in consideration are length of construction times for new homes and tree and shrubbery measurements that will provide for visibility at street intersections.
Reid Silverboard, city manager, said the impetus for the proposed ordinances has come from the people of Belleair Beach. "We've heard from our residents, who have pretty strict standards. "
Ordinance 06-01 will set minimum standards for buildings in the city of Belleair Beach and cover the majority of issues that have been currently lacking in the city's code. In addition, the ordinance will assist the city staff in being fair and consistent when enforcing code.
Silverboard says some tweaking may be needed in the future. The ordinance was given a first reading and is as follows:
Consideration of Ordinance 06-01, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Belleair Beach, Florida, Repealing Section 10-71 of the City Code pertaining to Repair or Demolition; Creating New Sections in Article III of Chapter 10 of the city Code; Pertaining to Building Maintenance to Include General Provisions, Definitions and Rules of Construction, Applicability of Article and Conflicting Provisions, General Standards, Basic Equipment and Facilities, Light and Ventilation, Maintenance and Appearance Standards for Securing Buildings and Time Limits, Demolition of Buildings, Maintenance of Vacant Buildings and Removal of Partially Demolished Buildings and Structures, Responsibilities of Owner And/Or Operator, Responsibilities of Occupant, Designation of Administrator, Inspection and Right of Entry, Violation of Article and Penalty, Duties of Board of Adjustment and Decisions of Board of Adjustment, Right of Appeal and Procedure for Appeal, and Conflicting Provisions, Providing for Severability and Providing for an Effective Date.Silverboard said the issues covered are common maintenance issues and staff is working on a companion ordinance that addresses property maintenance in an even more comprehensive fashion for the council's future consideration.
Mayor Rudy Davis said that even though the city is toughening up codes and their enforcement, they would work with residents who show a hardship and want help. He said while campaigning for mayor he came across many residents who are elderly or disabled. He said, "We need to take care of property in the city, but we are not out to put more hardship on those people. Come to us if that's your situation."
Davis described working in the near future to implement a cooperative relationship between the town and residences that will remedy if a resident is financially strapped or overwhelmed by a construction project. He proposes the city will take over the reigns for the homeowner and contract for repairs, but with the acknowledgement that the city will put a lien on the property to recoup its revenue.