by TRC_Admin | Apr 1, 2019 | Billboards, City Signs, Codes, Legal
Photo: Google Maps, Art: The Real Deal
“The owner of a commercial building in the Miami Design District is suing the city for approving a billboard ban that allegedly sunk the value of the property by nearly $5 million.
Karenza Apartments LLP, which owns the building at 100 Northeast 38th Street, alleges it also lost a lucrative contract with a billboard advertiser after city commissioners passed the measure that prohibits billboards north of I-95, at the behest of Miami Design District developer Craig Robins of Dacra…
According to the complaint, the city commission passed the ban on second reading on July 27, 2017, about a year after it was introduced by Commissioner Keon Hardemon at Robins’ request. At the time, Karenza had an agreement with Becker Boards Miami to place a large mural above its one-story property, which is currently occupied by the offices of architecture firm Shulman + Associates. Karenza’s building was one of three properties in the Design District with billboard permits, the lawsuit states.
Karenza claims the city commission ignored a planning and zoning appeals board recommendation that its building be grandfathered in because the proposed measure included an exemption for one of the other neighboring billboard properties, at 3704 Northeast Second Avenue…
On Aug. 26, 2017, when the ban took effect, Becker Boards Miami relocated its mural to a property south of I-195 since Karenza’s property was no longer allowed to have billboards. Karenza is suing the city for $4.8 million in damages, which represents the dollar amount of the property’s diminished value, the suit states…”
— Francisco Alvarado, Research Haru Coryne, The Real Deal South Florida Real Estate News
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by TRC_Admin | Feb 11, 2019 | Codes, Controversial, Litter
Photo: WJHG.com News 7
“Empty beach chairs won’t occupy large swaths of the prime Walton County coastline next tourist season if the South Walton Community Council has its way.
The council, represented at Tuesday’s County Commission by John Reichenbach, wants to see some pretty drastic changes to the way beach vendors conduct business.
“We think it’s critical we get behind a managed beach vendor program,” Reichenbach told commissioners.
Among the changes proposed by the Community Council is a regulation that would “eliminate ghost chairs” by requiring vendors to set up their chairs only after a beach-going customers arrive and remove it when they leave.
Although he came to the meeting prepared for discussion, Reichenbach will have to wait until next year for a public hearing on beach code revision recommendations.
Before he even stood to speak, commissioners voted to postpone any discussion Tuesday and schedule a forum for Jan. 9 to debate what will likely be a long series of beach management proposals…
Walton County has heard complaints for years about vendors taking up too much beach space by setting up chairs that nobody sits in. They’ve also heard that vendors are too aggressive or that they set up dozens of chairs in prime locations along the water early in the morning before locals and visitors can claim a spot.
Like many other things along the beaches of South Walton, the vendor issues were exacerbated this year by the implementation of House Bill 631, which led to squabbling over customary use of the beach and private property rights.
Along with its call to eliminate ghost chairs, the South Walton Community Council also recommended that the number of beach vendor permits be limited and that a code enforcement officer or paid beach monitor be employed to watch for ordinance violations.”
— Tom Mclaughlin, NWF Daily News
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Read additional WJFG article on possible regulations
by TRC_Admin | Jan 3, 2019 | City Signs, Codes
Photo: Mike Wright, Citrus County Chronicle
“County officials say a wall that separates the Stonegate development from Crystal Oaks [in Lacanto] is not permitted.
County Commissioner Jimmie T. Smith went to bat for a Lecanto developer during Tuesday’s board meeting but found no help from other commissioners after they learned the company has a pending code case.
Smith questioned whether the county’s sign ordinance violates free speech after a contractor for the Stonegate at Westchase housing development complained to him about the county removing his ‘feather’ for-sale flags.
Smith said the contractor told him he had no place to advertise the development, which is separate but adjacent to the Crystal Oaks community…
Commissioners weren’t convinced.
‘We’re talking about a developer who bought a section of land in Crystal Oaks,’ Commissioner Scott Carnahan said. ‘He can learn how to advertise without flying signs out front…’
I’m not willing to change our policy,’ Carnahan said. ‘When it comes to he doesn’t know how to advertise, I don’t buy that one.'”
— Mike Wright, Citrus County Chronicle
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by TRC_Admin | Sep 1, 2018 | Codes, Trees
Photo: WPTV, West Palm Beach
“People are going out on a limb to make a statement about beautification on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach.
And it’s turned into a unique and fun display of public disobedience.
‘Someone has to “bark” at them,’ said Jim Kovalsky, who has spoken out about empty tree pits on Clematis Street and Dixie Highway. ‘The rest of the planters along this section all have trees.’
But these particular plots across the street from city hall do not have trees and have been this way for at least a year, according to downtown residents.
‘It’s basically become a tripping hazard with no tree in them when we’re trying to have walkability,’ said Kovalsky.
And that’s why a “vegetation vigilante” decided to plant some trees themselves. It’s unknown who put the trees there.
Kovalsky and his friends added to the fun, by decorating it like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
‘Bring some attention in a different way,’ he said. ‘It kind of just branched out from there.’
The trees started a buzz on social media.
‘And very quickly after that, both trees unceremoniously disappeared,’ said Kovalsky.
And then, in place of the trees — a graveyard appeared.
‘It said “RIP Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I have no idea who put that there,’ chuckled Kovalsky.
Here’s some good news — Mayor Jeri Muoio has identified a million dollars to increase tree benefits throughout the city.
According to the city, the focus of this dedication is to support of West Palm Beach Net Zero Green House Gas Emissions by 2050 Initiative and to improve the walkability and bikeability of the downtown space and connectors by increasing shade.
To do this, West Palm beach is concentrating on planting 20 ft. shade trees throughout the community, using native Florida trees and selecting a wide variety of acceptable shade tree species. Howard Park will be receiving 10 new trees in the coming weeks. Working with Florida Power and Light, the City of West Palm Beach is planting the trees to complement the solar tree structures which were recently installed. That project will be completed by late August or early September…”
— Alanna Quillen, WPTV, West Palm Beach
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by TRC_Admin | Aug 1, 2018 | Codes, Solar Structures, Technology
Illustration: A rendering of the solar ring and retractable cover by José Suárez
“The amphitheater at Bayfront Park, one of Miami’s signature performing arts venues downtown, will soon get a halo-like ring of solar panels and a retractable roof…
FPL says the solar ring will be one of the largest urban solar projects in the country. But it won’t be a moneymaker for the city. The proposed contract says FPL would pay a $10 annual license fee, and the power generated would go into FPL’s grid…
In addition to the solar ring above the amphitheater, FPL plans to install a large canopy of solar panels to provide shade next to the venue, as well as seven “solar trees” nearby. All told, FPL estimates there will be nearly 1,700 new solar panels at Bayfront Park generating about 500 kilowatts of energy for the grid.
Illustration: A rendering of a solar tree in Bay of Pigs Park from Florida Power and Light
Solar trees will also soon be sprouting in parks around the city, another result of FPL’s push to invest in solar. The commission on Thursday gave the green light for installation of the curved pole structures in several parks in Commissioner Manolo Reyes’ District 4, including Bay of Pigs Memorial Park, West End Park and Coral Gate Park.
The city will receive slightly more in licensing fees for the solar trees than for the amphitheater — $50 per kilowatt, with a 2-percent annual increase over the 15-year contract. FPL project manager Kathleen Campanella told commissioners that would likely come to $1,000 to $1,500 per year for the city.
Parks in other districts could get solar trees if their commissioners express an interest. At least some would feature charging stations for electronic devices…”
— Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article215591500.html
by TRC_Admin | Aug 1, 2018 | Codes, Snipe Signs
Photo: City of Melbourne
“The City of Melbourne is asking for the public’s help in eliminating the blight of illegal snipe signs…
‘Snipe signs are illegal in the City of Melbourne primarily for safety reasons,’ said Officer Cheryl Mall.
‘They are visually distracting– especially when they are posted on stop or other traffic signs. They are also a hazard during a hurricane or strong storm and are a form of litter that blights roadways and neighborhoods.’
Code enforcement officials remove snipe signs whenever they see them. However, often as early as the next day many more are put in their place.
In order to put a stop to this illegal behavior, code officials need to know who is placing the signs so that they can contact that person and begin the compliance process…
If you see someone posting a sign like the image shown above, officials ask you to send a photo of the person, the person’s car and if possible the license plate to City’s Code Enforcement Division at Code.Compliance@mlbfl.org.
Code enforcement officials will then use that information to contact the person who is placing the illegal signs and inform him or her that the placement of snipe signs is illegal…”
— Space Coast Daily
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