12/7/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r ACROSS CANAL John Laughlin, 6016 N. Island Harbor Road, wished tojexpress the concern of a group of residents in Island Harbor about a houseboat that has been moored across the canal from their community for three continuous weeks since November 14. He emphasized that the Code states that living aboard a boat for more than 7 days will be in violation. The residents have notified the Code Enforcement office several times. The residents demand that action be taken because they believe that the sanitary miles are being abused. People in their community are afraid to eat any fish caught in the canal. Mr. Laughlin urged the Board to take steps to get this boat out of their waterways. Community Development Director Robert Keating advised that the Code Enforcement Dept. has issued a Notice of Code Violtion to this couple; however, the code enforcement process is lengthy. After the County received written verification from a resident of Island Harbor that this boat has been moored and occupied longer than 7 days, a notice was issued for the occupants to appear in a hearing. The hearing is just like a trial and if they are found in violation, an order is filed and they will be fined alcertain amount for each day they are in violation. Director Keating noted that rather than pursuing the lengthy Code Enforcement process, the Board could authorize the pursuit of court action. Chairman Bird asked the earliest date the violation would come before the Board of County Commissioners, if it came to that, and Director Keating explained that we have a provision in our Code that the Chairman of the Board of County Commissions can function as a special master at a special judiciary hearing. He noted that a hearing could be scheduled for late this month. Roland DeBlois, Chief of Code Enforcement, understood that the violation seems to have stopped a couple of days ago, the same date as the date of compliance. We don't have sworn affidavits but we do have letters signed by residents who have witnessed the continuous living aboard the boat. He believed that in add tion to the stopping of the sewage problem, the residents want he boat removed from the slip. However, the mooring of the boat is not necessarily a violation of the code, whereas the dumping of sewage certainly is. ' Commissioner Eggert was concerned about the boat being moved out of there for a couple of days and then returning for another 7 days and the repeat of that. She understood that our ordinance 21 DEC - 71993 BOOK 9,1 FACE123 23