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07/08/1998BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEAL ON BUILDING/FLOOD CONTROL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER July 8, 1998 Present: John H. Logan, Jr. Chair Edward H. Walker, Jr. Board Member Michael D. Corcoran Board Member Pankaj Shah Board Member Carroll Nall, Jr. Board Member Vic Chodora Central Permitting Assistant Director Bill Wright Building Construction Inspector Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #A - Approval of Minutes Member Corcoran moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 13, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded. In response to a question, Central Permitting Assistant Director Vic Chodora referred to the item continued at the May 13, 1998, meeting regarding 630 Drew Street. He still has concerns regarding the building’s interior. The owners have not yet requested a final inspection. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. ITEM #B - Continued Requests - None. ITEM #C - New Requests C1) 404 Engman Street, Shane Barry, Owner. To request additional time to comply with the Unsafe Building Notice issued per section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances. Located at Enghurst 1st Addition, part of Lots 44 &45. Parcel: 09-29-15-25938-000-0440 Shane Berry, applicant, requested a time extension to complete his remodeling project. Mr. Chodora said permits are voided after 6 months if the City is not contacted for an inspection. Building Construction Inspector Bill Wright said he had issued a Stop Work Order. The applicant had torn off the rear of the building and extended the roof line approximately 8-feet, both of which are beyond the scope of permitted work. Mr. Wright distributed photograph sheets from the Unsafe Structure Reports dated May 4, 1998, and July 7, 1998. Mr. Berry said the project is more complex than he first anticipated. He said an architect is working on the required plans. Mr. Wright expressed concern repairs may exceed 50% of the building’s value. In response to a question, Mr. Shane estimated he could complete the work in 6 months once plans are finalized. Mr. Wright said the house is unsafe and must be secured for the safety of children. The house has no ground floor. It was recommended the applicant quickly have the plans completed and obtain the necessary permits to secure the house. In response to a question, Mr. Shane estimated the plans will be completed in 2 weeks. Mr. Chodora said the permits can be issued on the day plans are submitted. Member Walker moved to approve a 60-day extension to repair the structure at 404 Engman Street with conditions: 1) within 2 weeks of this meeting, applicant shall submit revised and complete plans to Central Permitting and obtain the necessary permits; 2) within 60 days of this meeting, renovations necessary to secure the building shall be complete; and 3) within 6 months from the time the permit is issued, the structure shall meet Section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances regarding unsafe buildings. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. C2) 2630 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, H&L Clearwater Partners, Ltd., Owner, Bob Schweiger, Representatives. To request additional time to comply with the Unsafe Building Notice issued per section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances. Located at metes and bounds 23.08. Parcel: 17-29-16-00000-230-0800 In his May 18, 1998, letter, representative Robert E. Schweiger of Prudential Florida Realty, indicated a contract was in place to purchase the former Chi Chi’s restaurant building by Logan’ Roadhouse. He requested an extension to complete the sale. The building, which had been boarded up for approximately 7 years, is secured. Mr. Schweiger said the 17-year old structure was leased to Chi Chi’s until June 1997. The restaurant had vacated the premises in the early 1990s. In September 1997, his firm was assigned the listing to dispose of the property. The building was opened for interested parties to tour the building. He reported this morning Logan’ Roadhouse had opted out of their contract. He was certain the property would be sold soon. He has hired someone to clean the property. The building is secure. He proposed the City monitor the property once a month for continued compliance. Mr. Wright distributed photograph sheets from the Unsafe Structure Reports dated March 3, 1998, and July 7, 1998. In response to a question, Mr. Schweiger said every problem listed in the City’s letter will be addressed within 2 weeks. Mr. Wright indicated homeless had been living in the building and under its canopy. In the last 30 days, there has been no further indication of this problem. In response to a question, Mr. Chodora said the owners are responsible for fixing the canopy and removing all unsecured materials. Member Corcoran moved to approve a 30-day extension to correct deviations from the code and secure the building at 2630 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard to meet Section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances regarding unsafe buildings. The motion was duly seconded. In response to a question, Mr. Chodora said the City will monitor the building automatically. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. C3) 200 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue, Ray Cassano, Owner, Dennis Hill and Michael Ratcliff, Representatives. To request additional time to comply with the Unsafe Building Notice issued per section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances. Located at C.S. map of Hayden’s Estates, Lot 3. Parcel: 09-29-15-37890-000-0030 The applicants requested an time extension to ready plans and start renovations. Michael Ratcliff, representative, said the DRB (Design Review Board) and P&Z (Planning & Zoning Board) had approved the design and conditional use. The DRB has not yet approved signage. The permits were not pulled in a timely manner as Dennis Hill was out of the country. Mr. Wright said structural problems include a large cracked window and unsafe wiring. The City does not want windows boarded. He distributed photograph sheets from the Unsafe Structure Reports dated May 8, 1998, and July 7, 1998. Mr. Ratcliff stated the plans are complete and have engineer seals. The applicants will apply for an occupational license from the P&Z. It was recommended the building be secured while remodeling plans move forward. Member Shah moved to approve a 60-day extension to repair the building at 200 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue to meet Section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances regarding unsafe buildings. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. C4) 271 Windward Passage, Barnett Bank NA, Owner, Mark Klein, Representative. To request additional time to comply with the Unsafe Building Notice issued per section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances. Located at Island Estates of Clearwater, Blk C, Lots 6-8. Parcel: 08-29-15-43380-003-0060 The representative indicated the owner needs time to determine the extent of repairs necessary to bring the building into code. Mark Klein, representative with Klein & Heuchan Inc., said his firm had been assigned the listing to dispose of the property. A storm had blown side panels off the 15,000-square foot metal building. Both the roof and sides are rusted. He said trespassers had damaged a junk car inside. He said complying with the Unsafe Building Notice had been delayed due to bank mergers. After Nations Bank purchased Barnett, the notice was misplaced following its delivery to Nation Bank’s North Carolina headquarters. The building is secured and its interior is partially cleaned. He said many parties were interested in the property. A conditional use is necessary for a use besides boat storage. He requested 120 days to dispose of the property. Nation Bank’s asset manager had received the building report only yesterday. Robert Frey said the building is ugly and rat-infested. He said the building had been damaged during a minor storm and should be razed. He said the structure depresses nearby property values. Mr. Klein said the structure’s support beams are in good shape. If a new skin and roof are erected, the building still will not be attractive. He said a pest control company is working to rid the property of vermin. Mr. Wright indicated the studding had deteriorated. He distributed photograph sheets from the Unsafe Structure Reports dated February 27, 1998, and July 7, 1998. Mr. Klein said a structural engineer will determine what repairs are necessary. In response to a question, he said the Clearwater Marine Aquarium had indicated an interest in purchasing the building but cannot afford it. He said Barnett Bank had delayed foreclosure to determine first that the lot is not contaminated with hazardous waste. Member Shah moved to approve a 60-day extension to raze or repair the building at 271 Windward Passage to meet Section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances regarding unsafe buildings. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. C5) Discussion and approval of procedures and minutes - None. ITEM #D -Pending Matters ITEM #E - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.