BELLEAIR SHORE – A long-awaited law that sets limits on the amount of time builders have to begin and complete construction has now been drafted and is ready for the Belleair Shore Town Commission’s consideration, Town Attorney John Elias announced at the commission’s March 17 meeting.
The ordinance specifies projects must begin within six months after a building permit is issued and be completed within a 24-month period, Elias said. That time period can be extended upon request of the owner by stating reasons for the delay. Extensions must be approved by the commission.
Mayor John Robertson warned that violations of the ordinance can be taken up with the town’s special master, who can impose stiff fines for noncompliance.
Resident Jamie Chivers said the 24-month completion period seemed “a little short.”
The time period is more lenient than Belleair Beach, which allows 18 months to finish a job, Robertson responded.
Construction delays on Chivers’ home at 200 Gulf Blvd. have been cited as the reason for the ordinance. Robertson said after the meeting that the house had been undergoing renovations for the past 4 to 5 years.
Chivers told the commission he intends to be done by the end of June or beginning of July.
“It’s been a long time – we just want to move in,” he said.
Speaking of the delays encountered, Chivers said, “the only good thing to come from this is that you’ve got an ordinance out of it.”
No action was taken on the building permit ordinance at the meeting. It will be on next month’s agenda for passage, Robertson said. Commissioners Richard Jordan and Robert Schmidt Jr. were not present to speak on the issue.
The commission has not yet discussed time limits for partial permits needed for renovations, Commissioner John Hayes Jr. noted.
Gulf buoys gone
Most of the town’s buoys, which mark the “no wake” zone near the shore, are gone, Commissioner Raymond Piscitelli reported.
“They all broke down near the base, and the weights have deteriorated,” Piscitelli said. “The chains have rotted away.”
They were also not anchored properly, Robertson added.
The town is coordinating with Belleair Beach, which has also lost a lot of their buoys, to get replacements, Robertson said. Tampa Engineering will be handling the job. Town Clerk Bonnie Dhonau noted Indian Shores had also lost a number of buoys.
Resident cites unsightly property
In a community noted for its stately seaside homes with well manicured grounds, one unkempt property can stand out.
“What’s going on with 1650?” asked resident Deborah Roseman, citing the creeper weed covering the ground at that address.
“It’s very unsightly,” Hayes concurred.
Robertson said the property was sold to a developer who is in a financial pinch. Since then, it has been through at least two failed deals, he said. The home is “obviously a tear-down” Robertson said later, and has been vacant for more than a year.
Deputy mayor picked
The commission had a bit of trouble settling on a deputy mayor to back up Robertson. Hayes nominated Piscitelli, who then moved to nominate Robert Schmidt Jr. Schmidt, who was not present, gained the votes of Robertson, Hayes and Piscitelli to win the job. He is the longest serving member of the board, Robertson noted.
Come out to the ball game
Residents of all the beach communities are invited to attend Gulf Beaches Rays Day, Sunday, June 14, when the team faces the Washington Nationals. The event is being organized by the Barrier Islands Governmental Council. Tickets are $30 each and include a Rays hat and great seats “just past the dugout,” Robertson said. All 11 beach mayors will participate in opening ceremonies on the field, he added.
Indian Shores Town Hall is the closest location for residents to purchase tickets, Dhonau advised.
