Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 42 Boathouse was given a TCO last year even though its owners had failed to pay $77,063.44 in required water and sewer capacity fees. Polk admitted the action was a staff member's mistake, because county regulations already in place prevent the issuance of a TCO if all fees have not been paid. A Dec. 31 letter from Gregory Yantorno, the county's Building Official, to D.E. Murphy Constructors Inc. of Sarasota — the contractor of record for Bob's Boathouse — says the TCO automatically will expire on Jan. 30 "without further action." It adds, "Please note that County staff will evaluate to determine whether substantial Obviously, what we have in this progress and good faith particular situation isn't working. efforts have been made to accomplish the outCharles Hines standing items listed on Chairman Sarasota County Commission the punch list, attached hereto." In related action on Jan. 14, Commissioner Nora Patterson won unanimous approval from her colleagues on a motion asking staff to work with the Office of the County Attorney to determine whether modifications to the Noise Ordinance could address loud music complaints at operations such as Bob's Boathouse. At the suggestion of a homeowner who lives near the restaurant, Patterson proposed that Bob's Boathouse and similar businesses be made to adhere to the same sound regulations required of industrial establishments. In the latter cases, she pointed out, county Code Enforcement officers and Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies can measure sound from the site where a complaint is received. The current ordinance provides for measurements involving commercial establishments to be taken at the emitting site, she noted. THE BUILDING CODE DISCUSSION The letter also says, "Failure to demonstrate substantial progress and good faith efforts will result in the denial of any future request for a TCO extension." Among the punch list items are the following: • Conveyance to the county of six utility easements, including those for a sewer lift station and public utilities. • Installation of "all watercourse buffer plantings consistent with the approved [county plan] dated August 10, 2010 …" • Removal of all nuisance and invasive vegetation on the property. • Installation of a fence at the lift station site. • Installation of "16, 3-inch caliper trees to compensate for native trees that were removed without a Tree Permit. To clarify, these 16 trees to be planted are in addition to the trees required [by the county's Trees Ordinance]." During his appearance before the commission, Polk explained that after the owners of Bob's Boathouse paid the outstanding water and sewer capacity fees, county staff on Dec. 31 extended the business' TCO for another 30 days, with the possibility of yet another Polk also reported that Code Enforcement 30-day extension. officers have "been out there repeatedly