Update on Construction Sites

By Ted Fling, Vice President

Early in 2005 several members of the Victoria Park Civic Association met with City Officials regarding problems with some construction sites in the neighborhood. Some builders in the neighborhood, it was felt, were falling behind in being good neighbors. The issues were parking construction workers' vehicles either double parked, blocking the sidewalks or parking on neighbor's swales, poor choice in locating portable toilets, construction materials improperly stored, and of the greatest concern debris on the jobs sites that could become airborne during a hurricane.

In anticipation of the forthcoming hurricane season and as a "quality of life" issue offending sites were photographed. The photographs were presented to City Officials on February 9, 2005. The City Officials were also given a draft of a letter that could be presented to Builders upon their application for a Building Permit. The result of that meeting was City Staff formalizing a letter to be given to all Builders and to those going through the Development Review Committee (DRC). For unknown reasons this is not exactly what has happened, as not all building applicants have received the letter and are not following the rules set forth in the letter.

Below is the letter that was prepared; and note that the letter was to be signed and returned to the Building Department. Appropriate violation notices spelling out the ordinance supporting the rules are also available. Recent interviews with Builders, primarily the single and double residential unit types, indicate they are unaware of the letter and its requirements. There seems to be confusion with City Staff as to who is responsible for issuing the letter and the enforcement of the rules. Although citizens may call the City about particular job sites, Inspectors are not regulating the job sites in general.

We are fast approaching the 2007 hurricane season. City Officials need to address the issue of who in City Staff is responsible for the establishment of the rules for proper conduct of a construction job site and inspection of sites for obedience of the rules to insure "the quality of life" and the public's safety in the event of a hurricane.