Punta Gorda building official warns of lot-fill and elevated-garage issues in downtown flood zones
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Summary
The Punta Gorda building official told the board Oct. 28 the department is enforcing an ordinance limiting lot fill to 12 inches in flood zones, conducting site visits, and requiring plot plans to assess elevations. Staff said elevated garages and high driveway grades continue to present enforcement and neighborhood drainage concerns.
The Punta Gorda building official told the Building Board on Oct. 28 that enforcement is underway for an ordinance restricting lot fill in flood-prone downtown areas and that staff are using plot plans and site visits to evaluate problematic elevations.
The official said the city’s ordinance limits "max fill on the lot [to] 12 inches in flood zones above the ground of the road," and that staff are applying common-sense judgment on a case-by-case basis, particularly where adjacent properties already exceed the limit. The official described a recent case where a garage floor was about 5 feet above the road; after negotiation the owner lowered the grade about 16 inches, short of the 2-foot reduction the official initially sought.
Staff said the building-review process requires a plot plan showing existing elevations as part of initial submittals and that reviewers and the official conduct site visits to compare proposed elevations to neighboring properties. The official said reviewers are attentive to driveway and garage elevations because excessively raised garages shift runoff onto adjacent lots and create neighborhood drainage issues.
Board members representing builders said they appreciate staff’s common-sense approach and confirmation that plot plans are required as part of the initial application. The board and staff indicated they will continue enforcement while balancing practical concerns for homeowners and new construction.
No specific enforcement actions (fines or orders) were announced at the meeting.