HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 02_05/02/2016 � �
CORBETT, WH[TE,
�0 DAVIS AN�� ASHTON, r�n.
KEITH W. DAVIS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Board Certified in City, County and Locnl Goz�errirrterit Lazv
TO: Building Official English
FROM: Attorney Davis
DATE: March 11, 2016
RE: Enforcement of Mailbox Violations Located Adjacent to Pavement
To follow up our several telephone conferences of even date that also included police
and public works personnel, please accept this correspondence memorializing my opinion
on how to proceed:
1. Yesterday, at the address of 290 Country Club Drive, construction work was observed
on the mailbox structure adjacent to the edge of pavement. The work observed
appears to include application of granite and stucco surface to an existing mailbox
structure, the approximate size of an average refrigerator. The mailbox structure is in
violation of Village Code, Sec. 78-305, which regulates mailbox structures adjacent to
the edge of pavement in the Village. Specific violations are a non-traditional mounting
apparatus that exceeds maximum size requirements (2 feet wide x 2 feet deep by 5
feet tall), and the fact that the structure is constructed with masonry materials.
2. Enforcement is available through the traditional code compliance process.
Additionally, since the violations are located in Village ROW, the Village can remove
illegal structures therefrom, though it is my recommendation that notice and
opportunity to cure the violation be afforded prior to doing so. Alternatively, the Florida
Building Code empowers the Building Official to act summarily in circumstances where
a structure poses a serious threat to health, safety and welfare.
3. During our discussions, it was acknowledged that the structure at 290 Country Club
Drive had been in place for some significant period of years (possibly 11), and that the
work being done to it was in the nature of application of the aforesaid granite and
stucco surFaces to the preexisting concrete structure. During our discussions, it was
also acknowledged that in addition to this particular violation, there are other, similarly
situated violations throughout the Village, all of which have also been in place for
significant periods of time.
4. Given the above circumstances relative to the length of time the violation has existed
at 290 Country Club Drive, and the existence of similarly situated violations throughout
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the Village, it is my opinion that the Village should proceed to cure these violations
deliberately, but with due process and by addressing all known similarly situated
violations together. Notice should be provided to property owners with mailbox
structures that violate the requirements of the above referenced Village Code. To the
extent that the notices can be hand delivered, that is preferable from both a standpoint
of efficiency and a standpoint of providing actual notice. Where hand delivery cannot
be effectuated, notice should be posted and mailed (certified and regular) to the
property owner.
5. The notices should explain the violation, provide a definite deadline for the property
owner to cure the violation, and in no uncertain terms advise that the failure to comply
will result in Village personnel removing the illegal mailbox structures from the
Village's ROW.
6. Inspections should occur immediately upon the expiration of the cure period.
Remaining violations may then be cured by Village personnel.
7. I believe this course of action to be the most reasonable and responsible given the
circumstances. Nevertheless, I would contemplate backlash to Senior Administration
as well as the Village Council. As such, both the Village Manager and the Village
Council should be kept informed so that they are aware of what is happening.
2
I've spent half of my weekend riding this village and documenting similar concrete mailbox structures;
and it is obvious that this type of structure has been allowed, if not encouraged, to exist within Village
boundaries. The "concrete structure" encompassing the mailbox is a"non-conforming use" by
definition; a structure that may have complied with zoning ordinances at the time it was built, k�ut, no
longer conforms to the ordinance requirements of 2013. There are no records within building
department files to indicate a permit was ever applied for or obtained for the concrete structure.
However, a building permit is not normally something one would feel the need to obtain for a mailbax;
yet it is a"structure". Only the fact the owner was having repairs and/or enhancements made to the
structure and reported by a citizen, has brought it into current scrutiny.
Sec. 14-32. - Local amendments to Chapter 1, Administration of the Florida Building Code adopted.
101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement,
enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and
demolition of every building or structure �r �r�y =p�,�R; trr,<r�c�s cr�nnec.te� or �tt�che� to s�.�r_h k�!�ildings
or structures in the Village of Tequesta.
101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public
health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability,
sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from f�r
and other hazards attributed to the built environment and to provir�e ��a�r���,r t� f,re �i�hxters, coc���
officials, and er?�ergericy res�aonders durin� emer�er�cy c��erati�ns.
��a�sti�rn:
1. In accordance with Florida Home Rule, are Village of Tequesta Zonin� Ordinances authorizec�
through state enabling legislation? If not, are they not "ultra vires".
2. Considering the structure is within the Village right-of-way; and considering it poses a safet�E
hazard to the public from possible vehicular impact; moving forward with citation; can the
Village Attorney assert "Absolute Immunity Defense" for the Building Director, should he file �=c�r
issuance of a restraini��g s�r�der cae inj�urctic?i ir� ���'is c�se� �N�owiri� °'�th� �ossi0.�ility of irrep�rable
harm to the public"?
116.2 Enforcement proceedings; hearings. Violation proceedings and hearings for unsafe structures and
equipment will be conducted before the code enforcement board or special magistrate in accordanc�
with the provisions set forth in Chapter 162, F.S..
! have no reason as Building Director to believe there may not exist an °'afrirmative covenant", implie� ar
otherwise, between the previous administration of the Village and the property owner. The mailb�x
structure is alleged to have been constructed some eleven years ago and as result, village employees
shall not be removing this structure using an immediate and forcible �action, but, rather instead per
methods legally outlined in section 116.2 listed abave.
• Sec. 78-305. - Mailboxes.
Curbside rnailboxes for home mail dE�iivery may h<:� intitailed in tiie viilage's ri�hts of v�ay su�ject to the
follpwing:
f1� Curbsicie r��aiit�oxes shall not be considered to k�e prohibited structures located in a right-of-way.
(2) Curbside rnailboxes shall eomply with current United States Postal Service regulations which govern
the design of curbsid@ mailboxes as contained in USPS STp 76.
{3) Prior to instailing any curbside mailbox, the installer should contact the local post office to er�s�,re its
correct placement and height at the street. Generally, mailboxes are installed at a height of 41-45
inches from the road surface to the inside floor of the mailbox and are set back 6-8 inches from the
front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door .
{�l) Mounting apparatus shaN be subject to the followir��� resulations:
�. "Tr�aditic�nal" rr7ailbox sup�ort structures, sir77iiar t�.�� t+�e structures d�pic-teci ir� Figiare 1 are perrnittec.i.
b. Mailbox suppart structures made of masonry materiais are prohibited.
c. Color and texture of r�iaiibox support str�jctiirrs should n��atch or com�iiment the ��rinci�:�al �tructurF:
c�n the property.
d. Mailbox 5upt��c;r±.�tr�,cturES should l�€� t9E ,���i t�.; ��re�k�au✓av" ir� Thr� etirent �f a coilisi�n w�Th a
motar vehicle.
e. Custom or non-#raditional mailbox support struct�i,ES sl�ai! nc?t ex,�eed ti��� dir������4inns ��f h�r� feet
wide by two feet deep by fiWe feet high.
fOrc1, No. 37 13, § 1, 11.-142013)
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