- May 1, 2024
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Ronald Reagan group not affiliated with official Republican party
Dear Editor:
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Observer had a news brief on Page 3 titled “Flagler’s Ronald Reagan Republican group pays fine.” That organization is unaffiliated with any of the four officially chartered Flagler County Republican organizations, all of which abide by strict operating, party loyalty and legal rules established by the Republican Party of Florida.
In Flagler County, the only four groups recognized by the Republican Party of Florida are the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee, the Republican Club of Palm Coast, the Flagler County Republican Club, and the Flagler County Young Republicans. For additional information, contact [email protected].
Susan Moya
Communications Coordinator, Flagler County Republican Executive Committee
Code enforcement is not applied equally
Dear Editor:
This letter is in reference to the city codes and why they are not being enforced equally to all property owners of Palm Coast.
In the Palm Coast Code of Ordinances, Article III. Property Maintenance Code; Section15.103. Definitions, it reads:
Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety.
The vacant lot next to my property has been a fire risk and blight against my home since we moved here in 2011. We have done major landscaping, outside maintenance, i.e., fencing, sod, gutters, etc., and the first thing people see before arriving at our home is this overgrown, trashy, nasty lot that is not maintained. The underbrush and vines in the trees are overwhelming, not to mention the fire hazard so close to our home.
Nothing seems to be done to the landowners. If the city is so well staffed that they can send out their ordinance code enforcers to give citations to homeowners that need to mow their lawn, why can’t they make these vacant lot owners clean up these overgrown lots? The emphasis in Palm Coast is to beautify our surroundings and maintain them to make us appealing to newcomers and/or future business owners. We work hard to keep up our property, so why can’t we get this lot cleaned up to remove the eyesore on our street? Come on, Code Enforcement, do your job!
Janiet Adams
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: The city has received similar complaints, and has issued this response, from Cindi Lane, Palm Coast’s communications and marketing manager:
“The particular definition you reference is meant to address unoccupied houses and the property they’re on — not undeveloped residential lots. The definition that applies in the case of an undeveloped vacant lot is from Chapter 25 of Palm Coast’s ordinances: ‘An Undeveloped Vacant Lot shall mean any lot or parcel that does not contain a structure and/or improvement. This shall also include adjacent property where both parcels are owned by one person or entity, but only if said adjacent property is located within 200 feet of a developed lot.’
“Since ITT first started developing Palm Coast some 40 years ago, residential lots have often been purchased years before a house is built. When ITT platted the community, the plan included 47,000 residential lots. Today, the city of Palm Coast still has nearly 18,000 undeveloped residential lots. It has always been the community’s philosophy and policy to allow property owners to leave their undeveloped residential lots in a natural state until house construction begins.
“However, to protect houses from wildfires, the city in 2001 enacted an ordinance for wildfire hazard mitigation that may be helpful to you in your situation, and to other residents in similar situations. Our Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Ordinance, Chapter 25, Article IV, addresses overgrowth of brush on undeveloped vacant lots. Essentially, brush on undeveloped lots averaging over 3 feet tall, within 30 feet of an existing residential structure, is considered a fire hazard. Brush means plant species that by virtue of their arrangement, chemical composition, and growth pattern provide a ready path for uncontrolled fire to spread. Species included in this definition include saw palmetto, gallberry, fetterbrush and wax myrtle. Pine trees less than 5 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet above grade) are also included in this definition.
“The city has two inspectors who continually map properties that are vacant and qualify for wildfire mitigation. When an undeveloped lot is determined to be in violation, the city sends the owner a letter advising the owner to clear the overgrown brush. If the property owner doesn’t remedy the violation within 30 days, the violation is posted on the property for an additional 30 days. If the violation is still not remedied, the city arranges for removal of the overgrown brush, and the property owner is billed for that work.
“However, if a resident reports a potential violation, the city will inspect that property right away. Potential violations can be reported by calling Palm Coast’s Urban Forestry Office at 986-3758 or by going online to the Citizen Issue Tracking service at www.palmcoastgov.com. Search for ‘Issue,’ then ‘General Complaint Issues,’ then ‘Fire Mitigation.’
“We look forward to working with you to ensure your property is protected from wildfire.”
Landscaping is too tall; can’t see
Dear Editor:
Apparently the people at the city of Palm Coast who approve or require landscaping for shopping center parking lots don’t frequent them or they would know of the dangerous blind spots that exist.
The Town Center is a good example. All of the southbound aisles are impossible to exit without entering the east-west aisle to see past the bushes and see if any traffic is coming. The same thing happened to me yesterday leaving the AutoZone store. There should be a limit to the height of the plants and bushes so dangerous blind spots aren’t created.
Bill Simpson
Palm Coast
One-day delivery welcome; less buzzard bait
Dear Editor:
I love reading the Palm Coast Observer, but I'm happy it’s going back to one-day delivery. The reason is because we have a turkey buzzard problem in our community. They have been perching on the rooftops of our homes for years. They are a nuisance and recently have taken a liking to shredding up The Observer. I don't know why, but this has been a problem for quite a while.
If I don't get out to my driveway in time, my Observer is shredded to pieces and blowing all over my neighbor's yards. It only happens to me and my neighbor across the street on whose rooftop the buzzards love to perch. I hope that one day, Thursday delivery will fool them and I will be able to read my Observer again. I usually have to find a store that stocks the Observer when mine is destroyed.
Joanne Graci-Campos
Palm Coast
Camera flashes show many do not follow the law
Dear Editor:
It’s amazing! Between Sept. 2 and Sept. 8, there were 515 camera flashes at State Road 100 westbound and Memorial Medical Parkway.
What is so complicated about obeying the motor vehicle laws that protect all of us from harm? Our country became great because of the laws the people subscribed into. Currently our nation is in a downward direction; disobeying the laws contributes to that direction. The cameras that are in place are because of the lawbreakers.
In the approach to a traffic red light, stop and then go with care when appropiate. Twenty years ago, most were in abidance of the laws.
Joseph Camarda
Palm Coast
