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Punta Gorda council pauses enforcement of impervious-surface rules after downtown business outcry
Summary
After extensive public comment from downtown property and business owners, Punta Gorda City Council voted to pause enforcement of code requirements for impervious surfaces on several privately owned lots for 180 days and to pursue a workshop and stakeholder outreach on longer-term options.
Punta Gorda City Council voted Wednesday to place a 180-day stay on code enforcement for a set of privately owned downtown parcels with impervious surfaces, after multiple business owners and residents warned that immediate enforcement could remove needed parking and harm commercial activity.
The move follows more than two hours of public comment from owners and managers of downtown businesses — including the Ice House Pub, Salty Tarpon and the Celtic Ray — who said lots used informally for parking for 18–20 years would be fenced or otherwise closed if owners were required to remove asphalt or meet full modern parking-lot standards.
Councilmember Melissa Lockhart moved for the 180-day stay; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. City staff said they will send letters to already-notified property owners informing them of the pause and use the interval to pursue a workshop, stakeholder outreach and…
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