Fair, 54°
Weather sponsored by:

GCS Council, residents wrestle with code enforcement rules

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com
Posted 2/23/23

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – What was supposed to be a discussion on the city’s code enforcement guidelines quickly became a spirited debate Tuesday night.

The City Council held the special meeting so …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

GCS Council, residents wrestle with code enforcement rules


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – What was supposed to be a discussion on the city’s code enforcement guidelines quickly became a spirited debate Tuesday night.

The City Council held the special meeting so the city’s Development Services Director, Mike Daniels, could clarify how the enforcement department enforces some of its ordinances.

Ten residents addressed the council, including three former mayors. All were concerned about guidelines regarding fences, residential parking and carports.

Daniels said rules were created years ago to “enhance the quality of life by helping sustain safe, healthy living conditions for residents and businesses of the city.”

Most residents argued ordinances that prohibited people from parking their cars in the grass, even if it was at their house. They also were upset the city won’t allow people to store materials in a carport, and they didn’t like the rules for fences.

According to Daniels, anyone wanting to install a new fence must apply for a permit and complete a survey before construction. Although Daniels said those restrictions don’t apply to anyone repairing a fence or replacing a panel, some were still confused.

Daniels also explained enforcement starts with a courtesy letter. In all, there are 24 steps leading to a lien being placed on the property, and compliance ends the process at any stage.

There currently are 14 open lien cases on properties in the city.

Most of the discussion focused on carports. One resident said she was cited she had building materials stacked in her carport during a remodeling project. Another said a neighbor got a letter because she had items on shelves in her driveway. Both said they were told they needed to install covers on the open walls.

Molly Mason asked why the same rules don’t apply to garages.

“If you have an ordinance that you can’t store stuff in a carport, then you have to force people to keep their garage door down,” she said.

Others, like former Mayor Felecia Hampshire, asked why her children couldn’t park in her yard when they visit.

“I have five children,” she said. “They either have to park in the yard or in the street. And we know the street is too narrow.”

Daniels assured residents the code enforcement department isn’t looking to issue citations for holiday gatherings.

Linda Hobbs said the codes infringed on her rights as a property owner.

“The city cannot change the way of life with an ordinance,” she said.

Residents seemed to capture the interest of many on the council. Some suggested some of the guidelines may be tweaked to ensure the properties are maintained without making unreasonable demands of the residents.

“Residents shouldn’t feel like criminals,” Councilman Steven Kelly said. “Maybe we should require a wider driveway (with future development to help with parking) so we don’t snipe people with two tires in the grass.”

Daniels said he’d like to change the initial courtesy letter by removing the threat of a daily fine because some felt they only had 15 days to make changes or repairs.

Kelly also said the deadline for the courtesy letter could be extended from 15 days to 30.