Commissioners critique TCO for Bob's Boathouse

A Nov. 27 extension for a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for Bob's Boathouse should not have been issued.

Sarasota County Planning and Development Services Director Tom Polk told commissioners during a Dec. 11 meeting, that mistakes within the building department led to allowing the restaurant to continue running despite having outstanding water and sewer capacity fees. The owner has also yet to comply with shoreline planting requirements or final site and development certification.

"I'm not happy seeing 'not completed' on what I consider to be key items," said Commissioner Joe Barbetta.

The county has issued 65 TCOs in the last three years, and Polk told commissioners considered that program as a whole to be a success, though the process does need changes.

Sarasota County Code Enforcement has cited Bob's Boathouse with two notices of violations since it opened this fall.

Commissioner Christine Robinson moved to assign staff to review the TCO process, which was approved unanimously.

Polk said staff would meet Friday, Dec. 13, to begin analyzing the process.