Help! Bulldozing on Bay Right Now

[GoodWitch58]

As Smilin Joe has stated, the issue here was work being done without permits.

Environmental impact will be similar, however, permits and proper procedures have been followed for the dredging...we'll have to see how the work actually is done. The point is that because of the permits, someone in authority is overseeing the project.

In the case of Grayton Bayou, work was done without following any proper procedures and that needed to be stopped, and it was.

 

[Rita]

KevinC,

My take on this is that SoWal needs this watch group because it is not uncommon for a developer or owner to do the "work" first (whatever it might be) and then it is done. They may only have to pay a small fine if any, but they have accomplished whatever they wanted without going through the permitting process.

It happens here as well. The penalties need to be very severe to prevent this! I don't think it will stop unless the offenders know they stand to suffer a severe financial burden.

Why do you think they do these activities on holiday weekends or at midnight?

I applaud those who are keeping an eye out for the unscrupulous!
.

 

[DevFin]

Goodwitch,

I'm well aware of what the issues are in this thread. I was simply inquiring as to your thoughts about the dredging and impacts and whether you were for or against it. I wasn't surprised by your reluctance to shed any light on these questions, as these are certainly challenging issues. I'm glad the people in the area have a positive outcome as for the backhoe deal. In this case I am not sure if they were trying to hide anything as the activity seems to have taken place in daylight according to initial posts in the middle of the week. Ignorance of the law is no defense, but has anyone talked with the homeowner in question?

I really have nothing further to add on this as I'm sure I've stretched Smiling Joe's patience for apparently posting in the wrong thread.

Kevin

 

[Smiling JOe]

There is no homeowner in question. In fact, there are no homes in the entire subdivision, and it is fairly well hidden. Yes, the guy was working in daylight on a weekday. The reason it was suggested that he may have been avoiding Code Enforcement is due to the fact that he had no permit for the work, nor did he have proper erosion control in place, according to Code Enforcement. Had permits been pulled and proper erosion control systems been in place, no one would have been alarmed, and no one would be suggesting that it was possible that he was trying to turn his back with regards to the law. Like I mentioned earlier, much work can be done in a few hours with such a piece of equipment. Had skunky not reported it, it is likely that no one would have seen it. Code Enforcement does not have enough staff to monitor every project every day.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Kevin-I for one don't mind the dredging. It is both an approved and finite project.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I wonder what they plan to do with all of that lumber which was delilvered yesterday. Don't they need permits to build a seawall?

 

[Jdarg]

From the water, it looks like the shoreline was chewed up in a blender.:angry:

And you can bet there will be several calls first thing Tuesday morning to check on the seawall permitting.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Last week I asked Cindy Meadows whether permits for land clearing/filling, etc., needed to be posted just as building permits do. She asked the County Official to respond to her email.

Here is a portion of what he sent to me and her today:

Having said this, our department does not issue permits for sand, clearing, filling, driveways, roads, bridges, or fences. So there would not be a building permit from us on those sites. The Planning Department does issue permits for clearing and those permits should also be posted on the job site.

If you have any more questions, please call me at 267-2084.

Thanks,

Gerry A. Demers, CBO
Deputy Building Official

So, based on this, there should have been a permit from the Planning & Zoning department posted in that area for the work being done that day.

 

[Jdarg]

There are currently 2 bright red dumpsters and 3 big piles of 6 x 6 lumber. Work-wise, I think it has been pretty quiet. I drove back there Tuesday and did not see anything posted other than the stop work order.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Last week I asked Cindy Meadows whether permits for land clearing/filling, etc., needed to be posted just as building permits do. She asked the County Official to respond to her email.

Here is a portion of what he sent to me and her today:

Having said this, our department does not issue permits for sand, clearing, filling, driveways, roads, bridges, or fences. So there would not be a building permit from us on those sites. The Planning Department does issue permits for clearing and those permits should also be posted on the job site.

If you have any more questions, please call me at 267-2084.

Thanks,

Gerry A. Demers, CBO
Deputy Building Official

I am confused. Which is it? Do they issue the permits for clearing or do they not? Am I misreading this note?