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04/11/2001BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEAL ON BUILDING/FLOOD CONTROL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER April 11, 2001 Present: John H. Logan, Jr. Chair Michael D. Corcoran Board Member Carroll Nall, Jr. Board Member Absent: Edward H. Walker, Jr. Board Member Pankaj Shah Board Member Also Present: Kevin Garriott Building Official Bill Wright Building Construction Inspector II Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building. 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 January 10, 2001, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #B - Continued Requests – None. ITEM #C - New Requests #C1 - 515 Hendricks Street: 1059 Inc., Owner: Tom Bratsos, Representative. Request time extension to comply with Unsafe report and allow time for insurance adjuster to complete his report at Parcel 16-29-15-32274-005-0010 & 0020. BAA 01-03 On January 25, 2001, the City cited the building at 515 Hendricks Street as an unsafe structure. Problems associated with the structure relate to damage caused by the January 11, 2001 fire and include smoke damage, deteriorated fascia, wood pulled out from inset; damage to dropped ceiling, ceiling at roof, and to ceiling joist, heat and smoke damage in kitchen, hanging electrical wire, trash and debris, open electrical box in ceiling, and smoke damage inside ducts. Building Construction Inspector Bill Wright distributed photograph sheets from the Unsafe Structure Report dated January 25, 2001. Representative Tom Bratsos said he owns the business, Jimmy Hall’s Steak House. He said the electrical fire caused only smoke damage to the structure. He said the building is secured, has neither water nor electric service, and should not be considered unsafe. He said he is awaiting funds from his insurance company to begin repairs. He said he needs six months to complete repairs. Mr. Wright said the inside of the structure is unsafe. The fire started inside the ceiling over the bar and damaged the ceiling joist. Fixtures in the kitchen are melted. The Fire Department estimated damage at $200,000. He said Mr. Bratsos has done a good job cleaning the structure’s exterior. Building Official Kevin Garriott said the building has been in its current condition for three months. He said repairs could be completed sooner than six months. He suggested Mr. Bratsos contact an attorney to help expedite the release of insurance funds and report the delay to the State Insurance Commissioner. It was felt the delay has been too long. Mr. Bratsos said he intends to repair and reopen the restaurant. Member Nall moved to approve a 90-day extension for the completion of necessary repairs to the structure at 515 Hendricks Street to meet Section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances regarding unsafe buildings. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. #C2 – 1109 Tangerine Street: John S. Lynn, Owner: Jeralne C. Burt, Representative. Request time extension to bring structure into compliance at Parcel 10-29-15-33552-004-0290. BAA 01-04 On February 15, 2001, the City cited the building at 1109 Tangerine Street as an unsafe structure. Problems associated with the structure relate to broken glass, an opening around a water line, a boarded up area, drywall and framing installed without inspections, missing ceilings, trash and debris, junk, unfinished drywall around sanitary fixtures, improper electrical installation, improper finish for bathtub, improper wiring, parts missing from a stove, carpeting over an electrical cord, and a door not closing properly. Mr. Wright distributed photograph sheets from the Unsafe Structure Reports dated December 18, 2000. Jeralne Burt, representative, said she had purchased the building 22 years ago. She said she was offended the City had cited several of her properties at the same time. She said the subject building is not unsafe. She said the board previously had provided her as much time as she needed to repair the structure as long as it remained secure. Mr. Wright said Code violations have not been repaired since that 1994 meeting. Ms. Burt said she has invested more than $20,000 in building repairs on the subject property. Mr. Wright said permits to repair the building had expired two years ago. Dry wall, electric wiring, ductwork, plumbing, and framing have been installed without required inspections or permits. Ms. Burt said the two contractors she had hired to do the work had stolen her money and left the project incomplete. Mr. Wright said storage of materials under the building, prohibited by the board at the previous hearing, creates a fire hazard as no rated walls separate the materials from the rest of the building. Also in violation of that hearing, one apartment is occupied and has electric power. Ms. Burt said the power always was on. A second structure on the site was razed. She said the walls are rated. Mr. Wright said it is unsafe for a person to live in the structure. He said no smoke detector was present. Ms. Burt disagreed. She said significant work on the building has been completed, including replacement of the roof. She said problems resulted after one of her contractors lost his license. Mr. Garriott said work on the building has been sporadic since 1985. Once a problem is fixed, it falls again into a state of disrepair. Ms. Burt said she had moved one kitchen at the request of the Fire Department. In response to a question, she estimated it would take three to four months for her to repair the building, if she had the money. In response to a question, Mr. Garriott reviewed State law, which requires a contractor to do all repair work. Member Corcoran moved to approve a 120-day extension for the completion of necessary repairs to the structure at 1109 Tangerine Street to meet Section 47.161 City Code of Ordinances regarding unsafe buildings and for the City to implement condemnation procedures if repairs and inspections are not completed by July 10, 2001. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #D - Pending Matters – None. ITEM #E - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m.