Sarasota News Leader

04/04/2014

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simple. He added that when he met with county Zoning Administration and Code Enforcement staff members for them to review the draft, "they felt this was eas- ily enforceable." S m i t h a l s o p o i n t e d o u t t h a t a C o d e Enforcement officer would be able to pull up on a laptop computer the outdoor display drawing for each business with a permit. He explained that he modeled the draft ordinance on the City of Sarasota's and St. Armands' outdoor dining permit applications. Additionally, Smith and Patterson explained that no outdoor displays are allowed any- where in Sarasota County under the current ordinances. The SKOD governs Siesta Key only, they noted, so the changes will affect just the island. MORE QUESTIONS When Chastanna Neiman, events and office manager for the Siesta Chamber, then asked whether Toomey's committee would make new business owners aware of the ordinance, Toomey told her, "We're not responsible, but we can take that on for sure and make it our responsibility to go introduce ourselves and outline the parameters." Gaddie reminded SKVA members that no business would be able to have an outdoor display without a permit. However, she sug- gested that owners and managers of rental property make certain new tenants know about the regulations. Shay said he felt Gaddie's idea "makes more sense," adding, "A prospective buyer or renter [should know] upfront what the rules are." Nonetheless, Shay noted that some of the business owners cited last year implied afterward that the property owners from whom they were renting had indicated dis- plays were permissible. Cheryl agreed that Shay's point was valid. However, she said, any new business owner should take personal responsibility for doing "due diligence." SKVA Treasurer Roz Hyman of Siesta Center said property owners will not have to allow displays if they oppose the practice, even if the proposed ordinance becomes law. Gaddie said such stipulations should be in leases. When Rami Nehme, owner of Blasé Café, asked whether the $25 permit fee would cover the costs of enforcement, Patterson responded, "Code Enforcement costs the county anyway." Toomey noted that his committee is facing a $1,000 expense to submit the draft ordi- nance to the county for staff and Planning Commission and County Commission review. Additionally, he said, the committee will have to reimburse the county for the costs of advertising the public hearings before the two commissions address the matter. Patterson told the group she did not feel the permit cost should be higher. Smith added that the amount was based on the fee the City of Sarasota charges for out- door dining permits. Russell Matthes, past SKVA president, also suggested the ordinance require a business to post its permit. That is the practice on St. Armands, he noted, where he co-owns the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar restaurant. Having the permits visible is helpful to other business owners as well as the public, he added. "I think that's a great idea," Gaddie replied. % Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 66

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