Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing And Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City reports 1,822 permits issued, launches technicians and expands volunteer program to speed storm recovery
Summary
Community Development reported permit and substantial‑damage appeal numbers, added 10 technicians and enlisted 26 trained volunteers to assist residents with paperwork and inspections. Staff urged homeowners to use volunteers for intake and advised owners about appeal documentation.
Denise Sanderson, interim Community Development Director, told the commission on Feb. 11 that the permitting office has issued 1,822 permits and processed 2,258 substantial‑damage determinations since the storms. Sanderson said staff has added ten technicians and administrative support through mission requests to accelerate inspections, appeals and permit intake and has trained 26 volunteers to assist residents with paperwork and document drop‑off.
Sanderson described the office's preferred permitting approach: repairs that return structures to their pre‑damaged condition should be included in a single permit so a complete SISD (substantial or non‑substantial damage) review package can be evaluated. She noted condominium workflows differ and owner‑builder packages are producing many incomplete submittals — roughly 90% of current permits were owner‑builder filings — which slows intake and review because of missing signatures, notarizations or supporting documentation.
Sanderson said substantial damage determinations total 2,258 with about 1,460 determined non‑substantial to date; 443 appeals were submitted and 370 had been approved through the appeals process at the time of the meeting. She urged residents to collect photos, contractor estimates and private appraisals to support appeals and said staff may require on‑site inspections.
On staffing, Sanderson said the city recently hired 10 technicians to do on‑site assessments, help with owner‑builder paperwork, and process SISD review packages; the volunteers will serve as document ambassadors and intake assistants and have completed two‑hour trainings and four‑hour shifts. Sanderson also described a new "HUG" civility/courtesy program from Code Enforcement that issues courtesy notices and delays formal violations until April 1 to allow recovery work to proceed.
Sanderson and commissioners urged residents to use the volunteer intake service to avoid repeated back‑and‑forth with staff and to have a complete package ready before submission. She also noted the Elevate Florida application portal (state program) had opened and advised owners to check the city's housing recovery support page for details. Pinellas County Property Appraiser's trust verification letter was cited as a new local accommodation to allow owner‑builder permits for trust properties after appraisal review.
Why it matters: Faster and more accurate permit intake, on‑site inspections and volunteer assistance are intended to reduce delays getting homeowners and tenants back into safe housing and to clear backlog ahead of the next storm season.
What's next: Staff will continue hiring technicians, pursue outstanding mission requests, and publicize the volunteer help and Elevate Florida portal. Commissioners requested clarity on any reinspection fee waivers and on continuing support for residents without internet or digital access.
