Okaloosa County BOCC — September 1, 2015 — Set Public Hearing for Excessive Vegetation Ordinance — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: September 1, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: Set Public Hearing for Excessive Vegetation Ordinance DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Board previously directed staff to prepare and bring to the Board a proposed Ordinance which would provide restrictions on allowing property to become overgrown such that it becomes a health and safety hazard. A proposed ordinance has been prepared and it is being brought to the Board for authorization to schedule a public hearing for its consideration. BACKGROUND: Some properties within the County have been allowed to become excessively overgrown with vegetation. Excessive growth and accumulation of vegetation can result in adverse impacts on the health, safety and welfare of the community by creating conditions which lead to a haven or breeding place for snakes, rats, rodents or other vermin of like or similar character, it also creates a breading place for mosquitoes, may be a fire hazard to adjacent properties, could adversely affect or impair the economic welfare and value of neighboring properties, and may create a hazard at road intersections or right-of-ways within the County. In the past, the County did not have an ordinance through which these issues could be addressed. This proposed ordinance will provide the County that authority. The proposed ordinance would be limited to improved property and not include any property within Agricultural, Residential Rural or Recreational land use categories. Staff requests authorization from the Board to schedule a public hearing for consideration of the proposed ordinance and to advertise that public hearing. The requested date of the hearing is September 15. OPTIONS: Approve/Disapprove. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the scheduling of a public hearing at 9:00 AM or soon thereafter on September 15, 2015 to be held in the BCC Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the County Water and Sewer Building at 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd in Ft Walton Beach. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator