Community Development Department Annual Report July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016

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1 Community Development Department Annual Report July 1, 2015 June 30,

2 Executive Summary This report uses data for activities that occurred between July 1, 2015 and June 30, The Community Development Department incorporates the Divisions of Planning and Zoning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Community Services. The Community Development Department makes great effort to provide citizens and the development community with a high level of professional, customer-focused service. Some highlights of the past Fiscal Year Ordinances Adopted: Illegal Dumping Incorporating reference to the FL Building Code into Glades Code of Laws Revision of Subdivision Ordinance for Simple Subdivisions FEMA Meeting Staff met with representatives of FEMA in January. These representatives were conducting an in-the-field review for the State Floodplain Management Office s Field Community Assistance Contact (FCAC) report. The purpose of the FCAC was to assess Glades County s floodplain management program and overall knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and to provide community staff with any technical assistance in general or specifically relating to identified program deficiencies. The FCAC was conducted to verify compliance with the NFIP and the community s potential eligibility and class for the Community Rating System (CRS) program. The Insurance Services Office s CRS Quick-Check was used to preliminarily assess the community s possible class for participation in CRS. FCACs also provide an opportunity to establish or re-establish working relationships between the SFMO and NFIP participating communities to create a greater awareness of the NFIP and its requirements. The report was officially closed (finaled) on June 14. The date of the closure of the report is important because staff needed sit before being able to move forward with the steps necessary to bring the County into the CRS program. Staff will work on this during the next reporting period. Involvement in the CRS program will help to reduce Flood Insurance premiums within the County. ISO Evaluation The Building Division underwent a review by ISO this year. Through the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS ) program, ISO assesses the building codes in effect in individual communities and how those communities enforce their building codes. The assessments place special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. The concept is simple: municipalities with well-enforced, up-to-date codes should demonstrate better loss experience, and insurance rates can reflect that. The prospect of lessening catastrophe-related damage and ultimately lowering insurance costs provides an incentive for communities to enforce their building codes rigorously especially as they relate to windstorm and earthquake damage. A community's classification is based on: Administration of codes, including 2

3 building code edition in use modification of the codes zoning provisions to mitigate natural hazards training of code enforcers certification of code enforcers incentives for outside education/certification building officials' qualifications contractor/builder licensing and bonding public awareness programs participation in code development activities and the appeal process Review of building plans, including: staffing levels qualifications level of detail of plan review performance evaluations review of plans for one- and two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, and commercial buildings Field inspections, including: staffing levels qualifications level of detail of inspections performance evaluations final inspections issuance of certificates of occupancy In addition, ISO collects underwriting information, including natural hazards common to the area, number of inspection permits issued, number of inspections completed, the building department's funding mechanism and date of establishment, size of the jurisdiction and population, and fair market value of all buildings. ISO gave Glades County a grade of 3 for 1 and 2 family residential properties and 3 for commercial and industrial properties. The grades rank from 1 to 10, with 10 being the least effective. The Building Division was very proud to receive such a high grade on behalf of the County. Applications and forms are continuously updated to conform to State Statute and FBC requirements as well as updates to local code. The Building Permit was revised to only apply to new construction and renovations; a new permit form was created for demolitions. The reason for this change was to be able to incorporate the Asbestos Testing and Reporting requirements. Also included on the Building Permit form was a requirement for more detailed Cost to Build/Renovate requirements. Requiring an accurate accounting of costs is a requirement of the FBC and was mainly done for two reasons. One reason is that the Building Division is an enterprise fund so more accurate costs mean more accurate permit fees and the other reason is that the Property Appraiser can more accurately assess new structures and upgrades for tax 3

4 purposes. A new ordinance creating Chapter 31 and 32 of the Code of Laws to regulate Stormwater and Drainage was adopted in 2015 and staff created an addendum to the Building Permit outlining the requirements for projects that disturb over ½ acre of land. The first project to use this addendum is the Love s Travel Stop. A Family Homestead application was created in response to the re-inclusion of the Family Homestead provisions into the Code of Laws. Floodplain forms were upgraded to correspond to the State s recommended forms in anticipation of the County participating in FEMA s Community Rating System. The Simple Subdivision application was revised to incorporate the new requirements of the adopted Ordinance revising the Subdivision Regulations. 4

5 Building Division This division is responsible for reviewing building permits to ensure they are designed in accordance with the Florida Building Code (FBC). This division also inspects ongoing and completed projects to ensure they were built in compliance with the Florida Building Code and the approved building plans. Mr. Ron Marra, the new Building Official, left employment with the County the second week of February. During that same week, the County contracted with Hy-Byrd Inspections Inc., a private company that provides inspection and plan examiner services. A Hy-Byrd employee conducts inspections Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday mornings, a Building Official is in the office to review a week s gathering of permits and meet with clients. The contract gives Hy- Byrd 75% of Building Permit fees in return for the services. Larger building projects: Training Center Certificate of Occupancy issued 8/28/2015 Diocese of Venice - 4,000 sq. ft. assembly building Certificate of Occupancy issued 8/17/2015 Dollar General in BHR Certificate of Occupancy issued 2/19/2016 New Communications Tower by Vertex Development completed in January of New Communications Towers by Lykes Bros: Reservation Road tower finished on October 2015 and SR 29 tower finished in February 2016 Superior Cast Stone was issued a permit on 1/13/2016, construction in progress Love s Travel Center, permit was issues on 6/15/2016 Permit Activity July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016 compared to the same period last three years Number Issued Valuation 10,646,931 14,804,859 9,326,698 5,758,200 Fees Collected 162, , ,754 96,234 Impact Fees: Impact fee collection is suspended through February 14, If impact fees were collected, during this reporting period, they would have resulted in $324, distributed as follows: Transportation $208, Parks $ 9, Public Education $102, EMS $ 3,

6 Permits by Type 6

7 Permits by Area Buckhead Ridge City Of Moore Haven Horseshoe/Ind Hills LaBelle Lakeport Moore Haven Muse Ortona Palmdale Port LaBelle Venus 6% 2% 2% 0% 8% 26% 13% 14% 20% 4% 5% 7

8 Planning and Zoning Division This division has the responsibility to ensure that building permits and uses are in compliance with the Glades County Land Development Regulations (LDRs). In addition, this division processes applications for changes to the Future Land Use and Zoning Maps, and requests for special exceptions, variances, plats, plat vacations, and temporary uses. The total amount of fees collected during the reporting time is detailed in the table below: Activity Number Amount Zoning Reviews 258 $7,740 Rezonings 1 $1,200 Comp Plan Amendments 1 $3,000 Variances 1 $500 Special Exceptions 1 $500 Platting 0 0 Foreclosure and Abandoned Property Registration 25 new registrations, 5 reregistered $3,450 Temporary Uses 0 0 Construction Exemptions 2 new, 1 renewal $850 Zoning Determination 1 $100 Number of Land Use applications processed: Activity Number Rezonings 3 Comp Plan Amendments 6 Variances 1 Special Exceptions 1 8

9 Code Enforcement Division Code Enforcement activities include responding to complaints and observing violations of the Glades County Ordinances. The initial contact with persons in violation of the ordinances is an attempt to obtain compliance. When this approach is not successful, formal action is necessary and a case is opened. The statistics for the cases during this reporting period are: Reporting Period Reporting Period Total Cases: Cases Closed: Cases Open: Open due to unpaid fines: 7 Jack Woods left the County s employment at the end of May. Community Services Division Determine eligibility for clients seeking assistance through the Health Care Responsibility Act (HCRA). Monthly caseload, quarterly financial reporting and invoice processing for Hospital Payments through the HCRA Program. Provide referrals to the United Way, Salvation Army, ALPI and local churches for citizens seeking assistance with Rent, Utilities, Food or other needs. Provide information and process applications for indigent burial. Indigent Burials 5 HCRA Cases Processed 20 9