Should Code Enforcement become Proactive?

I thought that keeping the seawall covered with sand was a DEP concern, not county.

It apparently isn't a concern by anyone in Gov't, though it was a County requirement to cover the walls completely and that the slope to the lower elevation of beach be a natural slope of 2:1, and very few Gulf Front property owners have yet to do that, either.

Code enforcement should be a last resort. We don't need too much govt. We have to pay taxes and I don't want my taxes wasted on fuel for being proactive. This must be an election year, why all of a sudden for the change????? Need to get all the facts before jumping to conclusions.

Code enforcement should be a last resort. We don't need too much govt. We have to pay taxes and I don't want my taxes wasted on fuel for being proactive. This must be an election year, why all of a sudden for the change????? Need to get all the facts before jumping to conclusions.

Your comments may have made a difference at the BCC meeting last night, but since none were heard, you better be checking those fences and paint colors. Cause now the guvment is going to do it for you.

Your comments may have made a difference at the BCC meeting last night, but since none were heard, you better be checking those fences and paint colors. Cause now the guvment is going to do it for you.

Walton GOP, Did you go to the meeting? What happened? Who said what?

Walton GOP, Did you go to the meeting? What happened? Who said what?

I was there but had to leave before they got to the code enforcement stuff. But I spoke to Kevin and a couple of commissioners this morning and it appears that proactive enforcement, seven days a week, is on it's way. They will also be setting up to take anonymous complaints. The plan is the one I posted earlier, divide the county into zones, the same as the commission districts, and assign officers to patrol those zones and seek out violations and get them cleaned up. I imagine that there will be a period of adjustment and retooling as they work to get this program kicked off.

Let them eat cake!

you are very good gordhead!!!

I was there but had to leave before they got to the code enforcement stuff. But I spoke to Kevin and a couple of commissioners this morning and it appears that proactive enforcement, seven days a week, is on it's way. They will also be setting up to take anonymous complaints. The plan is the one I posted earlier, divide the county into zones, the same as the commission districts, and assign officers to patrol those zones and seek out violations and get them cleaned up. I imagine that there will be a period of adjustment and retooling as they work to get this program kicked off.

excellent.

after reviewing this thread, I am truly shocked that code enforcement is currently operating as described here - reactionary. I don't keep up with county government - since moving here over a dozen years ago I went through a period of shock and surprise as to the entire operational mode of county government in general (after living in only municipalities). I know enough to know that we have very slowly made some progress here and there, such as electing a few experienced and qualified BCC commissioners, some organizational improvements, etc. (btw, our county fire and emergency service (SWFD) is outstanding compared to other counties and has been for quite some time - but this is a separate entity / law enforcement is another story).

I can't tell you how many times, while strolling in the neighborhood, we have come across previously heavily wooded large lots in our state forest neighborhood - and seemingly overnight that lot is suddenly completely bare of trees, and filled - it seems such a crime, and perhaps it is, but when those trees are levelled, then its done. and no amount of enforcement will correct it. then comes the FWB lawn, non-native shrubs and plants, the brick home complete with the concrete drive. we will have to live with such unfortunate homes and "improved" lots forever. the resident usually sells after a few years and goes back to FWB or wherever, leaving us with their brick home sitting on a filled lot with no trees.. (fortunately most residents here have not done this, but quite a few have - and some have done it with full county approval/permitting.

bring on the enforcers. now!

Look at the number of lurkers on this message board, compared to the people who actually post something. I think you will find a similarity in the number of people who see wrongdoings, compared to those who will take the time to report it.......

Conversely, based on the number of your posts, you must be the ultimate "Big Brother" who's watching (and reporting) everything. And from what I've seen from several of your posts, you haven't disappointed me much in this regard.

It apparently isn't a concern by anyone in Gov't, though it was a County requirement to cover the walls completely and that the slope to the lower elevation of beach be a natural slope of 2:1, and very few Gulf Front property owners have yet to do that, either.

From your post above: "..it was a County requirement to cover the walls completely.."

Is it still?

Conversely, based on the number of your posts, you must be the ultimate "Big Brother" who's watching (and reporting) everything. And from what I've seen from several of your posts, you haven't disappointed me much in this regard.

most who know SJ around here and in the community appreciate his leadership and work to help keep our community safe, clean and beautiful. he's also made many of us more aware of issues in general. thanks Smiling Joseph!!!

most who know SJ around here and in the community appreciate his leadership and work to help keep our community safe, clean and beautiful. he's also made many of us more aware of issues in general. thanks Smiling Joseph!!!

I'm simply pointing out the two extremes of this "report your neighbor" spectrum as he inferred a "lurker" is not proactive in reporting "code violations". So therefore he must be. Was that a bad deduction?

I'm simply pointing out the two extremes of this "report your neighbor" spectrum as he inferred a "lurker" is not proactive in reporting "code violations". So therefore he must be. Was that a bad deduction?

I don't know. perhaps. I didn't like the Big Brother reference to someone who makes an effort each day to make a difference in our community. I'm just saying its appreciated more than he knows.

Conversely, based on the number of your posts, you must be the ultimate "Big Brother" who's watching (and reporting) everything. And from what I've seen from several of your posts, you haven't disappointed me much in this regard.

If you are refering to reporting violations to code enforcement, that would be me. I admit, they have been petty violations, snipe signs and code violations the county was in violation of, i.e. code enforcement building not having 911 emergency address posted, county signs in poor repair, etc. buy the way, have you seen the mailbox at code enforcement, no door, flag torn off............. They just make it to easy. Maybe this will be a wake up call to code enforcement.

If you are refering to reporting violations to code enforcement, that would be me. I admit, they have been petty violations, snipe signs and code violations the county was in violation of, i.e. code enforcement building not having 911 emergency address posted, county signs in poor repair, etc. buy the way, have you seen the mailbox at code enforcement, no door, flag torn off............. They just make it to easy. Maybe this will be a wake up call to code enforcement.

So you claim to be in 1st place?

Then, OK, I stand corrected...SJ is in 2nd. That might not set well with him.

From your post above: "..it was a County requirement to cover the walls completely.."

Is it still?

To the best of my knowledge, it still is a County requirement, until the County changes it.

you are very good gordhead!!!



excellent.

after reviewing this thread, I am truly shocked that code enforcement is currently operating as described here - reactionary. I don't keep up with county government - since moving here over a dozen years ago I went through a period of shock and surprise as to the entire operational mode of county government in general (after living in only municipalities). I know enough to know that we have very slowly made some progress here and there, such as electing a few experienced and qualified BCC commissioners, some organizational improvements, etc. (btw, our county fire and emergency service (SWFD) is outstanding compared to other counties and has been for quite some time - but this is a separate entity / law enforcement is another story).

I can't tell you how many times, while strolling in the neighborhood, we have come across previously heavily wooded large lots in our state forest neighborhood - and seemingly overnight that lot is suddenly completely bare of trees, and filled - it seems such a crime, and perhaps it is, but when those trees are levelled, then its done. and no amount of enforcement will correct it. then comes the FWB lawn, non-native shrubs and plants, the brick home complete with the concrete drive. we will have to live with such unfortunate homes and "improved" lots forever. the resident usually sells after a few years and goes back to FWB or wherever, leaving us with their brick home sitting on a filled lot with no trees.. (fortunately most residents here have not done this, but quite a few have - and some have done it with full county approval/permitting.

bring on the enforcers. now!

For anyone's info, those trees that are mentioned are not really native to this area. They were planted, and grow profusely, anywhere and everywhere! If a lot is clear cut, in a relatively short period of time, many seedlings will sprout up from the neighboring properties with adult pines. Most cannot imagine the scenery before these pines were planted.

Tootsie is talking about the big Oak Trees in her neighborhood, not the Pines which are found in other areas.

Tootsie is talking about the big Oak Trees in her neighborhood, not the Pines which are found in other areas.

Considering the state forest was once owned by St. Joe Paper Co, there land has very few oaks. It was planted pine, Loblolly's. In fact, the only parts of the land that had any other tree were the swamp areas.

For anyone's info, those trees that are mentioned are not really native to this area. They were planted, and grow profusely, anywhere and everywhere! If a lot is clear cut, in a relatively short period of time, many seedlings will sprout up from the neighboring properties with adult pines. Most cannot imagine the scenery before these pines were planted.

not true at all. near the bay our neighborhood is filled with oaks of all kinds - young and old, magnolia groves, massive pines, florida holly as big as magnolia trees, cypress trees, many varieties of bay trees and the list goes on forever of mature native trees and plants. we have lived among them for quite some time in fact. while the forest may not be 100 years old in some places, it is mostly mature and filled with beautiful native trees. (you are talking about state owned forest replanted with pines - these are also beautiful in their own way and filled in with native shrub and plants as well. nature reclaims its space when given time and opportunity. I am grateful for the abundance of state preserved land around here).

as I stated before, over the years many lots were stripped bare of huge oaks, magnolias, cypress and all growing around them. the bay area still has pockets of live oaks that were left alone back in the day.

now the Bcc is mulling new problems created in part by overdevelopment and higher densities they have allowed in the name of "property rights."
It seems that whole neighborhoods have as part of their storm water run off plan the method of mandatory clear cutting and filling. In the near future a lot owner may have to file an individual lot storm water run off plan before anything can be done to start building. This will have to be coincided with the neighborhood plan and blah blah blah...talk about your enforcement issue problems. i have noticed entire developments clear cut and filled and thought that must be against laws of nature if not county codes. who new that may become mandatory?

Busta Hustle, what are you doing opening up that can of worms? :funn:That entire back@ssward mess will leave Code Enforcement shaking their heads wondering which rule to enforce. In some cases, the County's Storm Water Plan is just plain stupid, and is totally opposite of what the Covenants and Restrictions may allow, and in the middle is Mr or Ms property owner who is stuck, trying to determine which rule they obey.

just do what the "connected" do...just ignore the rules cuz if no one complains no one enforces...or do i have a bad a-t-t-i-t-u-d-e...

I understand the County recently took action against the owners of the property located slightly to the west of Sally's By the Sea, who clear cut the entire property, violating County Code. I hear that the County wants to finally, after three years of inaction by the owners to restore the property (actually, they tried planting a few plants, but they died because they didn't water the plants), fine the property owners and get them to restore the vegetation (I'm not sure how one restores 20 year old scrub Oaks.) and they are sending the property owners to Court to let the Court make the judgment.

Shocking, I know. The County actually attempting to enforce the rules.

Conversely, based on the number of your posts, you must be the ultimate "Big Brother" who's watching (and reporting) everything. And from what I've seen from several of your posts, you haven't disappointed me much in this regard.

Likewise, if we take your number of posts and extrapolate the 'self important BMB beachfront owner' factor of a 1:1 ratio, you are clearly the winner. Your new screen name could be BlueMtnBeachEmperor ;-)

...... Your new screen name could be BlueMtnBeachEmperor ;-)

Finally, some respect!

To the best of my knowledge, it still is a County requirement, until the County changes it.

To the best of my knowledge, it is not.