Should Code Enforcement become Proactive?

Can you provide evidence of the County overturning their ruling?

Can you provide evidence of the County overturning their ruling?

SJ, another reason why half informed "proactive" citizens are more dangerous than "lurkers".

The final item on the planning commission?s regular agenda was an amendment to the Walton County Land Development Code that would have mandated seawalls to be covered with at least 3 feet of sand and a more gradual slope. Furthermore, it included vague language that essentially would have required a second letter of county approval to be sent to the DEP, even if the applications were already ?complete? and waiting permanent status.
Emmet Hildreth disputed the amendment on three grounds and forced the planning commission to table the discussion until more information could be disseminated. Hildreth told the commission they lacked the right to force such regulations on private property.
?If you told everyone in DeFuniak Springs to plant roses in their yard would you expect them to do it?? he asked.
He admonished the commission?s attempted action as ?ex-posto facto,? and questioned the county?s legal authority to interject in DEP business.
?This county commission has said time and time again that it has no authority over construction in the Coastal Control Line,? Hildreth said, referring to an area under particular state scrutiny between the Gulf and upland structures. ?Still, here we are, making a proposal about what the county can do to trivialize the process. Our applications are complete and nowhere in the process were we ever told about a ?second letter? until tonight.?
Under pressure from county attorney David Hallman, the planning commission admitted the purpose of the amendment was to require a second letter, but planning commission director Pat Blackshear said it was actually a DEP condition and therefore a second letter ?may not be required.?
Later, Hallman said he ?wasn?t sure what the planning department was trying to do? with the amendment.
?I think there was a lot of confusion,? Hallman said of the issue, ?and ultimately because of that, the amendment was not approved.?
Hallman said he didn?t like to speculate on actions the BCC would have taken if the amendment had reached their agenda, ?but I think it is very clear we don?t have jurisdiction over the CCL,? he said.


SJ, is there any part of the above that is not crystal clear?

Yes, that which is not clear is why the requirements which were discussed at the Special BCC Mtg were conveniently left out of the minutes. I have noted this before, and wish I still had my handout and notes from that meeting, because much was left out of the minutes, including the caps and slopes, which were discussed and, to the best of my recollection, approved by the BCC, but got lost when people began asking for clarification. Just curious, were you at the meeting too?

Also, for future reference, perhaps you could cite your sources. I have no idea if this is a newspaper article or recorded minutes from a meeting.

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Also, for future reference, perhaps you could cite your sources.

Don't feel like it (this time).

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.

You know the state purchased the 18,000 plus acres of SoWal when the previous group of owners went bankrupt, and the previous owners purchased it from St. Joe, who were tree farmers. Yes, there are other trees, depending on where you are located, but the bulk of that land was planted pine. The state also picked up a considerable amount of land from private land owners also. It depends on where you live.

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.

Those most likely are Sand Oaks, and there's a whole lot more to it than just watering.

Concerning storm water runoff, I went to the last SWMC meeting this month, and questioned the mess the county made with JD Miller Rd. They replied that the astute county engineers refused to cooperate with them, and took over the Mosquito Control Ditches without regard to the effects it would have to the surrounding residents. Storm water is an important issue, that needs SWMC guidance, remembering that it is not only a county funded program, but also a state funded program, that the state requires the guidlines be followed.

Stinky's Fish Camp is on mile marker... ooops 200 Ft. east the Big Blue Dune Allen Sign on 30A. When will they put the lighted mile markers up?
__________________
"I'm really not an angry person, I just play one on the internet"

Now I am a bit confused. You say you are for proactive code enforcement, you seem to take pleasure in bringing violations to the attention of code enforcement, but your outside vending operation on Scenic 30-A is prohibited by code from what I understand. So will you be making an anonymous call on yourself or just hoping that a roving patrol does not catch you this weekend?

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!

do you think your lot has been cleared sence the beginning of time? I'm sure they had to clear and fill your lot before they built your home. sounds to me you want your cake but don't want anyone else to have the same thing. Just my opinion.

do you think your lot has been cleared sence the beginning of time? I'm sure they had to clear and fill your lot before they built your home. sounds to me you want your cake but don't want anyone else to have the same thing. Just my opinion.

My opinion too! It's been a frustrating issue, I remember when their house wasn't here at all, just virgin land. Why is it ok for them to have their house, but no one else?

Now I am a bit confused. You say you are for proactive code enforcement, you seem to take pleasure in bringing violations to the attention of code enforcement, but your outside vending operation on Scenic 30-A is prohibited by code from what I understand. So will you be making an anonymous call on yourself or just hoping that a roving patrol does not catch you this weekend?

Maybe this will help. I do not have an outside vending operation. I do not vend on weekends. My business was closed down by code enforcement in Oct, due to a violation complaint from Toni's Farmers Marker (Ray Wheeler). Even though I was on private property. Thats when I started seeing the inconsistant practices of code enforcement.i.e. not enforcing sign codes, not having thier own building up to code, not enforcing codes on county signs, etc. The thread you read was probably posted in Oct. before I was closed down for vending on a scenic corridor that was not even an official S.C. at the time.
To take away any confusion, I do not violate any codes, I file complaints when I see them because I know they will not be addressed if I don't.
Maybe if C.E. were proactive I wouldn't have to file complaints, they might notice them on their own. Also getting out of the office once in a while may do them some good. As far as the anonymous complaint on myself,even if I was a code violator,I couldn't turn myself in anonymously, they do not take anonymous complaints. IMO that is to discourage citizen complaints,so they don't have to work as hard. And yes, I do take pleasure in visiting code enforcement to file complaints.
The ladies at the front desk are very nice.

do you think your lot has been cleared sence the beginning of time? I'm sure they had to clear and fill your lot before they built your home. sounds to me you want your cake but don't want anyone else to have the same thing. Just my opinion.

I've seen Tootsie's house and yard, and I can say that it is a hidden gem, which you cannot see from the road due to all of the native vegetation which they left intact. There is an extreme difference in one clear cutting the entire property and clearing out a portion of the property to build a house. No one is point fingers to the people clearing out building footprints, as long as they are following the rules (not everyone follows the rules ;-)). We are talking about the people who clear cut the entire property, which not only removes all of the native vegetation, but also increases storm water runoff and increases erosion. Tootsie isn't trying to have her cake and eat it too.

As an FYI, the County is considering taking anonymous complaints for Code violations, along with some proactive patrolling.

[q11uote=florida girl;364867]I think if that happens, we'll be living in a police state![/quote]
BS!!! No "police state" about it. Just better "policing" of needed code requirements.

[q11uote=florida girl;364867]I think if that happens, we'll be living in a police state!

BS!!! No "police state" about it. Just better "policing" of needed code requirements.[/quote]

everyone has opinions and mine is there are to many codes being enforced by the govenment. where is freedom heading? I bet George Washington would roll over in his grave if he could see the govenment now!

Hey northender, if you don't like the laws, change the laws. A gov't which doesn't enforce its laws is one which is going to the crapper. To quote President "Abe" Lincoln, "Study the Constitution. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed from the legislatures, and enforced in courts of justice." I haven't read the post asking for big gov't. I am simply saying that if we are not going to enforce laws, why the heck should we have laws? A lawless society is anarchy and I guarantee you that no right-minded person wants that.

Many of our early Presidents were for small gov't, but every last one of them was for upholding the laws which existed. If the people object to a law, there is plenty of room and authority to seek and change the laws.

Hey northender, if you don't like the laws, change the laws. A gov't which doesn't enforce its laws is one which is going to the crapper. To quote President "Abe" Lincoln, "Study the Constitution. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed from the legislatures, and enforced in courts of justice." I haven't read the post asking for big gov't. I am simply saying that if we are not going to enforce laws, why the heck should we have laws? A lawless society is anarchy and I guarantee you that no right-minded person wants that.

Many of our early Presidents were for small gov't, but every last one of them was for upholding the laws which existed. If the people object to a law, there is plenty of room and authority to seek and change the laws.

And I definitely second this post! Good job, SJ.