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Board of Commissioners takes up housekeeping matters
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007 |
CLEARWATER – Code enforcement of blighted areas, sidewalks and signs caught the attention of the Board of County Commissioners at its Jan. 9 meeting.
Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance allowing for an alternate code enforcement system that gives designated code enforcement special magistrates the authority to hold hearings and assess fines against violators of county codes.
Owners of properties in violation of code would face liens and potentially the loss of property through foreclosure.
The new system is in response to the ineffectiveness of the current system using the county court system to control properties that have failed to meet minimum property and maintenance standards for extended periods of time.
Sidewalk and sign rules amended
New sidewalks in unincorporated areas of the county will be wider and stronger, according to new standards unanimously approved by commissioners on Jan. 9.
Construction will comply with the American Disabilities Act guidelines that call for 5-foot passing space width. Previously, the county had required sidewalk widths of 4 feet.
Sidewalk depth also was increased from 4 inches to 6 inches along rural cross section roadways where the sidewalks can be crossed with vehicles to reduce repair costs.
Estimated increased cost to developers to construct wider sidewalks is $4.64 per linear foot, at current prices. The estimated increase to build wider and thicker sidewalks is about $11.57 per linear foot.
The county also amended its rules to change street sign material components and clarify maintenance responsibilities of street names to promote uniformity within unincorporated areas.
Changes include limiting street names to being no longer than 14 characters, avoiding the use of sound-alike names, such as Beech and Beach, names that also can be used for direction, such as southeast street, or names that are part of a suffix, such as Court Street.
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Article published on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007
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