Commercial property owner asks Port St. Lucie for permission to close security shutters at night; staff to review code and permit options
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Summary
An owner of a commercial building on Bayshore asked the council for permission for tenants to close accordion security shutters at night after a past arson; city manager and code staff were directed to review whether permits or code amendments could allow nighttime shutter use for security.
A commercial property owner addressed the City Council during the non-agenda public-comment period at the Aug. 25 workshop to request permission for tenants at 1374 Bayshore to close accordion- or security-style shutters at night. The speaker said the property had been firebombed years earlier and that thieves break windows, leaving the building vulnerable when it is vacant.
The speaker said code-enforcement officers had issued citations for closing the shutters and that neither code enforcement nor the building department was aware of an existing permit process for security shutters. The property owner asked for a path to obtain permission for the tenants to use the shutters overnight.
City Manager responded on the record that he would consult with legal and code departments to see what options exist and would follow up with the property owner. Several council members asked staff to compare the city's approach to neighboring county rules so corridor-wide enforcement would be consistent where county-owned buildings already close shutters. One councilmember asked how enforcement currently works in the evening and whether code has evening staffing for enforcement.
No formal change to the municipal code was proposed or adopted at the meeting; the council directed staff to return with options and, if necessary, an ordinance or permit process enabling security shutters while balancing egress and life-safety standards.
Quote (public comment): "Apparently, the council has passed an ordinance where commercial buildings cannot close accordion shutters at night when the building is vacant... I would like special permission if I can get it to allow the tenants to close the shutters at night for security," the property owner said.
Ending: Staff will review building and code permit options, consult legal about life-safety/egress implications, and report back to council with a recommended administrative permit or code amendment.