Still in rebuild mode, north Longboat requests permit extension

It’s been almost a year since hurricanes Helen and Milton battered Longboat Key, and residents are still rebuilding.

As the process of building back continues amid delays of varying reasons, residents on the north end are asking for an extension of the town’s permit fee waiver. 

The town passed an ordinance to waive permit fees for storm damage property repairs, which was originally set to expire in April, and which has since been extended to the end of September. A group of north-end residents has requested to extend that deadline once more as struggles with FEMA, insurance claims and contractor availability have delayed repair work.

“On behalf of LBK North, we respectfully request that the Commission allow for a special exception waiver beyond September 30th for properties that can demonstrate good-faith efforts to comply. Evidence might include attorney correspondence with insurance companies, documented FEMA-required assessments, or verification from Planning & Zoning staff regarding extraordinary review requirements,” reads an email signed by the LBK North Co-chairs Paul Hylbert, Jim Haft, Jeff Driver and Maureen Merrigan. “Such an extension would directly support those residents for whom the waiver was originally intended—those under the greatest financial and logistical duress as a result of unprecedented hurricane damage.”

Merrigan said if she had to guess, she would say about a dozen north-end residents are still rebuilding from the hurricanes.

“I think most people, most folks are on their way, but we definitely heard from a handful of folks that said this September 30 cutoff is too tight,” Merrigan said. “A couple things happened. For one, some were close to that FEMA 50% mark so they weren't sure for a while whether they could rebuild or if they'd have to tear down. Then you had other folks where they had significant damage, they submitted to insurance and got a first payout, but then wouldn't get a second payout until a contractor is signed.”

Town manager Howard Tipton said the number of permit applications for storm-related repair work has decreased more than 90%, but that he understands there are residents who are having issues due to no fault of their own. 

“Through no fault of their own they've been going back and forth with their insurance companies, and it's been a longer process than anyone anticipated,” he said. “So we are taking a look at carving out a fee waiver for folks in that situation to see if that’s possible. We will take a look at that request and see what we can do.”

Though the town extending the fee waiver again is being considered, Tipton said the move can’t be indefinite. The town’s building department is funded by fees and waiving them for repair work means the town has had to dip into a reserve fund to operate the department, he explained. Tipton said the potential extension of the permit fee would need to be approved by the Town Commission after staff makes a recommendation. The next Town Commission meeting is at 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at Longboat Town Hall.