Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
April 6, 2016 10:59 a.m.
Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) moved a step closer to putting teeth into the city’s code enforcement ordinance during their Regular Meeting on April 5, 2016 by approving on First Reading Ordinance 2016-07, which broadens the scope of the current ordinance to include citations for any violation of city ordinance or the Land Development Code (LDC). Violators cited will be given notice and a time period to correct the violation, unless the violation is irreversible or irreparable in nature. Those cited may appeal to a special magistrate within 10 days of receiving their citation by paying a $75 fee.
Commissioners have regularly expressed their dissatisfaction with current code enforcement efforts in the city, calling attention to both health and safety hazards as well as unsightly properties that greet visitors to the community, especially in prime tourist destinations such as the central business district and the Amelia River front.
Civic activist Dr. Chip Ross presented a series of slides to the commissioners before they began their discussion of the proposed ordinance detailing the code violations along Front Street and the waterfront, ranging from railroad debris to dumpsters in city right-of-ways, deteriorating docks and waterfront structures, and trash on private property.
Commissioner Len Kreger noted that during the recent river clean up waterfront property owners had been advised that a construction materials dumpster could be brought in to help them dispose of their trash. Property owners did not express any interest in participating.
Commissioner Roy Smith, who has raised code enforcement issues in other areas of the city as well, added that the waterfront presents a trash dump to all the people who visit downtown. He suggested that the code enforcement activity should be removed from the Community Development Department and become the responsibility of the Police Department. “The city needs to write citations and give out fines. We can’t just keep talking about the problem,” Smith said.
City Attorney Tammi Bach reminded commissioners that structures like decaying docks that are located on state submerged lands are not under the city’s jurisdiction. Dr. Ross advised that he has already been in contact with FDEP, which does have jurisdiction in such cases.
Speaker Eric Bartelt urged the city to exercise caution in differentiating between trash and historic buildings could become targets for demolition if violations were not corrected.
Commissioner Tim Poynter noted that “falling down houses” that he saw when he first moved to the city 17 years ago have not been addressed, resulting in continuing deterioration. He said in reply to a call for future discussion of the topic, “We don’t need another conversation.” He turned to City Manager Dale Martin and said, “Just enforce the code.”
Other commissioners agreed and voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2016-07 on First Reading.
Ross presentation
During Public Input, Dr. Chip Ross in a 39-slide presentation, explained the situation to date with respect to his request for greater code enforcement along Front Street. Ross reported that he had filed his initial complaint with city code enforcement on September 1, 2015. He cited the following response from city Code Enforcement Officer Michelle Forstrom dated April 4, 2016: “It doesn’t look like certain property owners are going to cooperate so I will be sending out Notice of Violation/Notice of Hearing letters.”
The photos below are taken from his presentation.
Ross ended his presentation with a call for actions represented in this slide.
On April 6, in response to a Ross email regarding the railroad’s notification, Code Enforcement Officer Michelle Forstrom replied, “Collectively the City will address these issues.”
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
It is sad, as Commissioner Poynter stated, that “falling down houses” have been here for the 17 years that he’s been here. My question, as is many others, why haven’t the codes been truly enforced? I know that we are shorthanded, but have we been shorthanded for upwards of 15-20 years? Why do we have rules if they are not followed through on? Commissioner Smith stated that the “issue on Jasmine has been taken care of”. We rode by there yesterday and it still looks like a used car/auto repair shop! This is what I mean, if this subject property is considered “taken care of” we are woefully lacking in follow through and consequences…..
Serious about code. Well it is about time. Code inforcement has met with me more than one time on north 2nd Street about the condition of a dumpster.
We are looking forward to a visual and odor change by May 1st.
Thank you to the new Sheriff in town.