The Anna Maria building department is taking a 60-day timeout.
An emergency ordinance was adopted at an emergency meeting called for March 4 to discuss a proposal from the mayor to halt the issuance of building permits for homes, pools and additions to homes that increase lot coverage or square footage.
After discussion among commissioners and the mayor, building official Luke Curtis and contractor Frank Agnelli, who told the city he only happened to see the meeting advertised while “out on a walk,” the ordinance passed 4-1, with Commissioner Amy Tripp opposed.
The mayor began his proposal by explaining the building department needs a timeout to address outdated codes for building in the city, as well as problems not addressed in the code that have become evident due to the volume of permits being issued.
The ordinance contains paragraphs of “whereas” statements outlining problems, including:
- Dewatering, flooding and infrastructure damages.
- Overcrowding in public areas due to increasing numbers of people in large residences.
The mayor said it is too difficult to hire staff to undertake a comprehensive review of regulations related to development while maintaining the flow of new permits and inspections.
The ordinance also indicates time is needed to seek professional guidance on implementing impact fees.
The ordinance states that the halt on building permits is a land-use tool to improve planning and “preserve the status quo during the review process.”
The two-month emergency moratorium immediately took effect.
Mayor Dan Murphy said the moratorium was needed to reduce the impact of building on residents and neighborhoods.
He cited problems with loud pumps, deliveries and staging areas with 12-13 trucks at a job site, and damages to streets, curbs and rights of way.
Agnelli and contractor Darrin Wash pleaded to keep their crews working for their families.
Resident Sam Pakbaz asked the commissioners to think about “the guy working for $10 an hour who has no job for six months.”
During discussion, the commission agreed with Agnelli to exempt homes that are already in progress, including some that await letters of objection prior to permitting, or permitted sites that await a pool permit. The commission agreed to strike pools from the temporary, two-month moratorium and add the concern of sea level rise to the timeout.
Commissioners and Murphy told Agnelli they would work with him and other contractors for two weeks before holding a second reading and vote on a six-month moratorium.
The six-month moratorium ordinance was not amended.
“Things can change at a second reading,” Commission Chair Carol Carter told Agnelli.
The timeout does not include commercial builds or those homes already permitted.
The next commission meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The commission also will meet at 6 p.m. March 26.
Luckily for the many good people in construction, they can easily find work on the mainland during the moratorium as things are booming over there too. I’ve spent my life in design and construction, much of it on this island, and if ever there was a time and a place for a moratorium it is here and now. If we have an agenda to find a way to bring some order, peace and infrastructure revenue back to the residents of our community then I say we need to do it and should have done it before. Better late than never. It’s worthwhile for us all to take some time to consider how best to bring some balance back to things here and taking time trying to save some of the good things about this island is a good place to start.