First reading of the “qualify-of-life” ordinance, a 12-page document drafted by Bradenton Beach city attorney Ricinda Perry, will be held in a special city commission meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.
Mayor Jack Clarke, who is fast-tracking the ordinance, is up for re-election Nov. 3 against former Mayor Bill Shearon.
The ordinance permits what Perry calls “transient use of residential property” upon issuance of a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a city business tax receipt and the issuance of a new transient public lodging establishment license.
Owners whose property has “transient uses” will be required to comply with all applicable codes, including the Florida Building Code and local regulations.
Two residents who support a moratorium on construction reacted to what they read in the proposed ordinance.
“While it has some good points in it and it is a move in the right direction, almost everything they talk about is not specific,” Frank Harrison said.
“It’s going through so fast,” Joanne Keir said. “I can see why Frank is concerned about specifics. It’s very non-inclusive as far as the community goes. This is just a rush job.”
Perry told commissioners Oct. 1 she had intended to use revocation of the city’s business tax receipt as a weapon against owners of property where rental regulations are repeatedly violated, as Clarke had suggested in the Sept. 30 town hall meeting.
But Perry said there is a Florida attorney general’s opinion that a city can’t assess a penalty that is not provided for in state statutes. The only such statute in Florida involves doing business with Cuba.
Commissioner Ed Straight said Oct.1 he disagrees with accusations the city has not been thorough in creating the ordinance.
“I think you’ve been quite thorough,” Straight told Perry.