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Council considers code changes after long-delayed subdivisions, tightens enforcement
Summary
Council members raised concerns about multiple stalled developments (Blue Heron, Ocean Beach Club, Silver) and directed staff to explore code changes; council also described stepped-up 'three strikes' code enforcement and fine processes.
Several council members urged the town to revisit development code rules after multiple subdivisions stalled for years. Speakers described projects where preliminary plans were approved years ago but construction never progressed, tying up staff time and leaving unfinished sites near the beach.
A council member said projects such as Blue Heron and Ocean Beach Club have been under development for more than a decade with intermittent progress; the speaker asked whether the town should add expiration rules or other code changes so approvals are not open‑ended. "We need to look at this development for developers in general and say, 'are you really a developer or is this a hobby?'" the council member said.
Staff reported they will not accept turnover of infrastructure from developers until outstanding legal and engineering items, and payments for those items, are resolved. Separately, the town said it has stepped up code enforcement with a policy described informally as "three strikes and you're out," and discussed fines that can reach up to $1,000 and compound daily for repeat violations.
Council asked staff to review potential code amendments and return with options, and staff said they will continue to enforce existing rules and require developers to complete legal and technical items before acceptance of public infrastructure.
