Somerset council warns pool project may face stop‑work, daily fines if landscaping deadline missed

Steve Serco, Somerset’s town permit administrator, presented an updated monthly permit report and answered council questions about multiple outstanding violations.

The council focused on a pool installation at 5522 Greystone that includes lifting an in‑ground unit over a house. Councilors said the project may not meet a 45‑day requirement to install front‑yard landscaping. Serco told the council he had updated the report and that the applicant was “hopeful” but might need to return to a future meeting if the work could not be completed without blocking the street.

The town attorney said the 45‑day landscaping requirement was a condition of the permit and that violation of permit conditions is an offense. “We can issue a fine for a violation of an ordinance… Probably $100,” the town attorney said, adding that a citation could be issued daily for ongoing noncompliance and that the council would have to amend its decision to grant an extension.

Councilors pressed staff on next steps and enforcement. The permit administrator said staff would confirm the permit issuance date (he believed May 18) to calculate the 45‑day period and would return to the council if the deadline passed. The administrator also reported other pending administrative enforcement actions on properties with notices of violation and on permits awaiting final inspection tied to house sales.

Why it matters: the council said strict enforcement is necessary to uphold decisions and to respond to public input on repeat delays. Officials flagged that unresolved conditions can lead to stop‑work orders and recurring citations, and they asked staff to report back with exact dates and any available fine schedules.

What happens next: staff will verify permit dates, determine if daily citations are appropriate, and notify the council if formal enforcement or a council amendment is required.