Okaloosa County BOCC — November 17, 2015 — Oct 6, 2015 workshop minutes

Excessive Vegetation and Property Maintenance Workshop October 6, 2015 The Excessive Vegetation and Property Maintenance Workshop befcre the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 11:05 a.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview. Members present were Nathan D. Boyles, Chairman; Charles K. Windes, Jr., Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Carolyn Ketchel; and Trey Goodwin. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Officer, Clerk’s Office; John Hofstad, County Administrator; and Greg Stewart, County Attorney. Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, stated the Board held a public hearing on September 15, 2015 to consider an ordinance regarding excessive vegetation. He reported there was considerable discussion and the ordinance was nct adopted. Approval was given to schedule a workshop for discussion on excessive vegetation, as well as dilapidated properties and other related issues. Mr. Kampert advised the types of concerns discussed at the September 15 hearing generally fall under Chapter 11 of the county code which is described in specific detail in Section 11-136. Section 11-136 - Public nuisances described. The following conditions existing, permitted, maintained or caused by any person on real property in Okaloosa County shall constitute the maintenance of a public nuisance injurious to the health or general welfare of the citizens of Okaloosa County and shall constitute a violation of this division: (1) The creation or maintenance o¢f any condition capable of breeding flies, mosquitoes or arthropods capable of transmitting diseases directly or indirectly to humans. (2) The accumulation of rubbish, trash, garbage, litter or other solid or liquid waste materials in violation of this division. (3) The existence of any dwelling, house, building, structure or real property on which a dwelling, house, building or other structure 1is located which is unsafe, unsecure, deteriorated, degraded with obscene graffiti, or a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the citizens of Okaloosa County. (4) The utilization of any single-family or multifamily residential property by the owner or October 6, 2015 -1- Minute Book 73, Page 242 Okaloocsa County Board of County Commissioners occupant thereof for the exterior storage of any abandoned vehicle, icebox, refrigerator, stove, or other large appliance normally located inside a dwelling unit. Mrs. Jane Rainwater, Bluewater Bay, distributed photographs of the golf course at Bluewater Bay. She said the first three are when it was pristine and the remaining photos are current conditions since its closure in 2013. Mrs. Rainwater noted the pumps for the sprinkler systems have been removed. She called the present condition of the golf course a fire hazard and safety hazard affecting 600 residents. Mrs. Railnwater stressed it is not a beautification issue but a safety issue. Mr. James Sanders stated he lives on a dead-end street (Bullock Boulevard) and his property is 200'x100". He said there is an empty house near him and the grass has not been mcwed in three or four months and called it a fire hazard. Mr. Tom Evans, Bluewater Bay, said the overgrown weeds are beyond the control of the homeowners association. He stated the residents’ offers to mow and maintain the abandoned golf course have been turned down. Mr. Evans said Bluewater Bay is a DRI (development of regional impact) and what has happened is a violation of trust of those who live in this area. Mr. Bill Board, Hidden Lakes, commended the county staff on the agenda packet covering this subject. He said the proposed ordinance applies to parcels of any size and recommended it be changed to parcels of more than one acre to provide minimum overreach. Mr. Steve Bennett, Poquito Bayou, stated his property contains two acres and he has elected to have a natural yard/backyard habitat. He asked the commissioners not to use an ax when a scalpel will do. Mr. Bennett said he i