Council questions bond reduction for Seagrass and Sea Cove subdivisions; sidewalks and detectable warnings incomplete

City zoning staff told the Punta Gorda council that the Seagrass and Sea Cove subdivision applications show utilities accepted by the city and that roads are mostly complete, but several required improvements remain undone.

“...when it comes to subdivisions, the only things that we look through look for in chapter 6 is just make sure lot size requirements are met. When it comes to the bond process, that is all in chapter, oh goodness, 20 a Right. For subdivisions,” said Rachel Berry, zoning official for the record.

Council members pressed for specifics about what constitutes a “substantial” set of improvements that would allow a bond reduction and asked whether sidewalks and detectable warning devices had been completed. Berry said she did not believe the sidewalks were completed and offered to provide a checklist or a general list of improvements that have been made.

Council members expressed concern about approving a bond reduction before a clear breakdown of completed work and suggested staff ask the applicant when the remaining improvements will be finished. Staff confirmed the application had been submitted on March 10 and said the city needed to navigate how to process the request because a formal process had not previously been laid out for this exact situation.

No formal approval or vote on a bond reduction occurred; staff agreed to obtain a list of improvements and a percentage breakdown of work completed to help the council determine whether to approve a reduction.