|
|
|
|
|
| |
Local News |
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| Sep 30, 2009 | Reduction in Permitting Fees |
As of Monday October 5, 2009 building permit fees and plan review fees for single-family dwellings, townhomes, multifamily dwellings and most commercial permits located in the City of Port St. Lucie, will be reduced.
The City of Port St Lucie 
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
| Sep 1, 2009 | County News Update |
|
|
| Aug 1, 2009 | Indian River County |
Commissioners directed staff to draft a local preference ordinance (similar to St. Lucie’s). The TCBA position is that any local preference ordinance must be regional (“our” four counties) so as not to benefit some members at the expense of others. TCBA is providing input on this issue.
The Sustainability Committee held a “Brainstorming Session” on June 22 at 1pm at the Environmental Learning Center. Remember, IRC is the first county to Go Green!
Piper Aircraft was sold to an Asian company but will stay in Vero Beach to build its new jet. CEO Jim Bass, who gave a very interesting talk to TCBA members, resigned.
Professional Services Advisory Committee recommendations to provide a flexible, “common sense” application of the LDRs on a project-by-project basis went County Commission June 23. During discussions of the initiative, most examples involved current landscaping requirements that are perceived as excessive. Staff is seeking BCC direction and suggests revisiting the landscaping ordinance and identifying “problem LDRs” rather than approve subjective exceptions case by case.
After repeated attempts to revive/validate the Duncan Impact Fee Study, the BCC finally gave up!
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
| Aug 1, 2009 | St Lucie County |
St. Lucie County’s local preference ordinance is being used as a model by other locales. SLC considers Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Martin Counties as “local businesses.” Locals who come within five percent of the low bid can match the bid.
TCBA is providing comments to Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie with respect to accepting NOA specification numbers for windows and doors, increasing permit fees and having them paid in advance. Several permits categories jumped off the page including a $75 permit for projects under $100!
The Local Planning Agency (P&Z) conducted a public hearing on proposed changes to the Impact Fee Schedule on June 18. Following the hearing, the P&Z will continue with workshops proposing changes to Chapters 10, 11 and 12 of the Land Development Code. St. Lucie County is again proposing a planning study to address the western agricultural lands. Go to www.stlucieco.gov/growth/index.htm for a summary of the study and other growth management topics.
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
| Aug 1, 2009 | Martin County |
A school board member sought TCBA’s opinion on transferring funds from its Capital Account to its Operating Account, suggesting this could reduce the building program and potential jobs for TCBA members. TCBA responded that while members always welcome opportunities to work on public projects (schools), it is more important to keep the schools we have now in operation and staffed, rather than build new ones that we may not need and cannot afford to maintain.
Opponents are focusing negative attention to the Indian Street Bridge as an “excessive and unnecessary use of federal stimulus dollars,” depicted by Commissioner Heard on national television!
Of our four counties, Martin’s anti-growth folks are the most hostile! They are well financed and have no qualms about slandering members of the development community and construction industry, as evidenced by their opposition to Comp Plan Amendments at EAR workshops and LPA meetings. For growth management information go to http://mcdevrev.wordpress.com
The Impact Fee Review Task Force is in its next cycle; with TCBA well represented by Eric Johnson.
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
| Aug 1, 2009 | Okeechobee |
TCBA joined with Okeechobee contractors in asking the County Commission to adopt a six-month moratorium on impact fees. After considerable comment, commissioners instructed county staff to meet with industry representatives to ease certain areas of concern and effect implementation.
In addition to reducing impact fees, TCBA has asked the county administrator to consider other methods to stimulate the economy, including streamlining the permit process, adopting local preference ordinance for public projects and identifying obstacles to the building process. We also plan to discuss increased permit fees and ask that those who do business within Okeechobee be required to have county licenses.
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
| Aug 1, 2009 | State Issues ENERGY CODE |
ENERGY CODE: Effective June 1, the 2009 Supplement to FL Building Code increased the energy efficiency baseline by 15%. Homes permitted after June 1 must achieve HERS Index of 77 or better. EPA is developing commensurate regional Builder Option Package (BOP) for Florida and is formulating policy for 2011 guidelines that supersede HERS 77 ENERGY STAR guidelines for Florida (and other states with rigorous codes) must meet standards beyond national program requirements. Guidelines will reflect enhanced code requirements. Go to: energystarhomes@energystar.gov
Hometown Democracy (vote-on-everything initiative) now has enough signatures to be on the 2010 ballot. SB 360, signed by the governor, will streamline growth management and encourage infill by reducing transportation concurrency and eliminating the DRI process for urban areas. It also extends permits and approval by two years and expedites Comp Plan reviews. Yet another legislative victory is HB 277 that shifts the “burden of proof” to government in impact fee legal challenges.
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
| Aug 1, 2009 | State Issues TCB PAC |
TCB PAC: TCB PAC is gearing up for 2009-10 elections, with Jeff Bowers continuing as chair. The political climate is already heating up with Joe Negron and Don Ramos vying for Ken Pruitt’s senate seat in a special election on August 30. TCBPAC, finding Negron experienced and qualified, contributed $500 to his campaign. Then come municipal races in Ft.Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Stewart and Okeechobee. Looking ahead to 2010, besides legislative races, each of our four counties has commission and school board seats up for re-election. Get involved!
|
| |
| Top ^ |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
