A lot of people do it--asking the city for waivers to "do their own thing." This happens all of the time. Rules are made to be "broken" or definitely flexible. You give a waiver to one person; you give the same sort of waiver to everyone who follows that should ask, otherwise the city opens itself up to a law suit of which they are deathly afraid.
Per the City Code, Section 19-26(d), all driveway approaches and walkways are to be constructed of six inch concrete unless a variance stating otherwise is allowed by the Building Official which has been provided in the case that comes before the commission tomorrow night. Based on the requirements, Public Services Staff does not recommend approval of pavers because it is not financially beneficial to the City due to the required maintenance over the life of the paver section.
On the consent agenda is a property owner asking for a Variance. The city will sign an Agreement with Michael Paul Lewis to allow brick pavers on a driveway, walkway and City right-of-way at 516 North L Street.
This house at 728 N. Lakeside recently was given a waiver for the exact same thing. What happens when the curb crumbles? Will he run to commissioner Szerdi for help?
The city does so many waivers, over the years, they waive so much, they even waive new construction to have their sidewalks around their property waived too, just to save the homeowner money, but the ordinances say all new construction should also put sidewalks on their property. Waive anything in this city, not wonder it looks so hodge podge and dumpy. Codes? Waivers? all a joke.
ReplyDeleteNew construction at 5th ave north and north o destroyed a sidewalk and owner is not required to repair the walk. Similarly, property across street (with an improper hedge) destroyed section of sidewalk when they put pool in, again no repair required by city. Yet city wants me to pay higher taxes to make infrastructure repairs for things like these which should have been paid by property owners.
ReplyDeleteThis is Bob Lepa's house and it looks like crap. He removed a large shade tree and now he has to vegetation, etc. What happened to our tree requirements as well as green space. Lepa has powerful friends so he gets what he wants. I believe this house is historical and his friends on the historic board were a big help.
ReplyDeleteLove those fake shutters, Bob. Real naaas.
ReplyDeleteOh No way is that gonna fly here in Parrot Cove...or will it Theresa & Marty - the self appointed smarter (Szerdi Style Watermelon - green on the outside but really 'red' on the inside...)rulers of us all!
ReplyDeleteRemember Andy mentioned when unopposed in the last election he got like 3 calls a day from these guys...like the nagging widow in the old testament who had to nag the judge because she didn't have the money to bribe the judge! These guys obviously have the money as witnessed by their donations to things that seem to give back in a big way...$1500 to start the cottages thing...
Is it the impact fees for putting in a proper driveway he successfully avoided w/all yer all help or lack of objection when it's someone you like or don't like???? After how loud he howled for the roads & SIDEWALKS this is quite the poker tell!
Was part of the bond slush fund going to go to Bob ? To put in the PROPER infrastructure that he got a "WAIVER" for ? Who pays when those curbs he's driving over crumble?
ReplyDeleteWell the one thing I know is that pavers will settle and create trip hazards far faster than concrete sidewalks. So if you need to make some extra cash this is what you do.
ReplyDeleteYep! The city is so full of hazards do to lack of maintenance for Many Many years including during the Ramono/Ramicio era not to mention many commissions there after.
Now they want 63 Mill Bond to save their butts. Have to wonder what is the liability to the public for mismanagement of proper care of the streets and sidewalks after all these years? A class action law suit to force the city in to Bankruptcy?
This post is very much full of hatred and misinformation. I suspect very few experts of pretty much any topic, are present here.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I see that you are targeting two people the first opportunity that you have. I think you should post a little more information about the purpose of the waivers, and that they are to protect the City from liability and allow for much needed aesthetic improvements.
I have a strong feeling that the investment being made on this person's home is 100 times what any of the haters here have done to improve their homes. Jealously and envy sure are powerful when it comes to hate.
I find it fascinating that you and your crew of 5 people always talk about how crappy the City is, then take every opportunity to attack those bettering it. So which is it? Blight or improvement? Neither, I suspect, as that wouldn't achieve your goals.
One last point: Next time you are on N Lakeside, you should check out the code violations at 805 N Lakeside. They were glaring at you. It is clearly adding to the blight that you always speak about wanting to rid ourselves of. Next time please show your true support for the fight and report that and post it.
(Even though you want to post this so bad so that you can attack it, you won't because that blight one with the address really hits home for you and poster #5 above.)
8:16--I guess you are directing your comment to me? This blog was not about code violations. It was about waivers for pavers.
ReplyDeleteFree Pidgeon Peas for any takers at 805 N Lakeside Drive - the dwarf mulberry's are almost ready - if it gets water - it's edible! Coconuts will be a month away and look for 2 stalks of bananas I will share when ripe! I have tons of milk weed that attracts butterflies and if you are an early riser watching a butterfly hatch is amazing! I believe in Self Sustainability (why not - the LW Sustainability Dept costs us %500K a year to just pay salaries!) unlike my neighbors who will make the call ya all on ya (or blog about it) BUTT they are too cowardly to EVEN LOOK AT ME as they pass by my home! Yes _____ - we all know it's you and wassup w/the this is how we did it anywhere else chit? We are so over you...we're in LAKE WORTH for god sake - me 20 years and welcome johnny come late(ly) neighbor - keep yer bright ideas to yer self and share only when asked ALONG W/The rest of us! It's in the commission Rules of Procedure District Forum Meetings where we all get to talk and not only those who the reps take calls from or answer emails! We are all not as special as you - most get no answers! Guess we should learn to nag - NOT! That Jackboot is too far beneath most who know better...
ReplyDeleteHistory repeating itself is really boring...Yawn...
Ohhhh - I pulled a Szerdi - I said I was smarter than you by saying I know better than you - how does that feel?
Sure. But he makes a valid point. You do always complain about blight and slum. Someone spends thousands to improve his home and wants the entire front to be paved and so asks for a variance. I am more interested in why staff recommends against it or why it is on the consent agenda when staff recommends against it.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd like to see more pavers if they are the type that let water through.
Many upscale neighborhoods utilize pavers to enhance their exteriors.
Installing pavers on the city's rights of way had nothing to do with eradicating slum or blight.
ReplyDeleteAs far as why it's on consent, this property owner asked for a waiver. You notice that there will be NO discussion of taking over the city's right of way because it just KEEPS ON HAPPENING. The building official okayed it. He has nothing to do with why staff recommends against it.
Now, some people are harassed to death by code for at times are even slight infractions and other property owners are coddled when taking over our rights of way or even our "pocket parks"...city owned property whose repairs are paid for by you. If someone damages our property, they need to pay up.
Why is something like this on the consent agenda in the first place? I thought that the consent agenda was for routine "housekeeping" matters, not favors for friends!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Wezz will get a waiver for that twelve foot tall pink flamingo fountain with the twin frolicking Michaelangelo Davids that he is going to put in his front yard???
ReplyDeleteBob Lepa pulls out all his grass, takes down his trees and paves his front lawn. Who approved that?
ReplyDeletePaved over his front yard? What a class act!
ReplyDeleteThe terrorist!
ReplyDeleteHe is now jackhammering the curbs.