Construction code focus will put fixes in Naples' rules on hold

Naples city officials are implementing policy changes to deal with residents’ complaints about flooding, litter, noise and other issues involving construction sites, but it may take until fall to give teeth to ordinances and enable officials to more easily punish violators.

Until then, officials will focus on accountability and hurricane preparedness and in cases of construction site violators, they can use what’s currently on the books.

“One of the most important tools a building official has is a stop-work order,” Community Development Director Robin Singer told the City Council on Wednesday, adding that more could be done. “We have the ability to put additional limits on contractors who are not in compliance.”

Although it’s Collier County that controls contractor licenses, Singer said Naples officials could limit contractors’ work in the city if they flout the code.

Adding guidelines to city codes, she said, would enable Naples to penalize those who aren’t in compliance. City officials have asked the Planning Advisory Board to thoroughly review the problems and proposed changes this summer before they’re implemented in August, after the council’s summer break, or later this fall.

However, changes involving the hurricane season, such as covering trash bins, generator noise and placement, will soon be implemented. Contents of trash bins must be secured, weighted down and held down with crisscrossed rope, mesh or other durable, wind-resistant material. Singer said it’s not possible to empty all trash bins before a storm.

“However, we hope that by implementing this ordinance, they’re going to do a little more regular disposal at hurricane time,” she said.

Under the proposed changes, a pre-storm inspection will be required for all active construction sites involving exterior work or storage. The contractor will be responsible for ensuring the inspection is passed prior to the issuance of a warning for a tropical storm or hurricane, or the contractor will be in violation of city codes and city officials could collect fees for having to secure those noncompliant job sites.

Naples has begun publicizing construction site changes and guidelines on its Web site and on public access Channel 12.

Among changes being advertised are proof of notice to nearby residents. Contractors must post a sign listing a phone number to contact a company officials if residents have complaints and provide an after-hours number for the city’s building division and an approximate timetable listing demolition, excavation or pile driving activities.

They also must offer a site inspection before construction or demolition and on-site seismic monitoring of the adjacent properties prior to demolition, pile driving or similar activities.

Dorothy Hirsch, the leader of a citizen group that prompted the changes, praised Singer’s department and urged quick implementation for those involving hurricanes.

“We have extreme endangerment of citizens in older homes,” she said. “They sit in fear of getting flooded and that’s an abominable situation.”

She suggested sandbags at the very least, adding, “I think this is important so these citizens don’t live in fear.”

She also urged stiff fines for construction site violators.

Discussion on the issues will continue at the council workshop 8:30 a.m. Monday.