Understanding Building And Code Enforcement By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper March 9, 2023 Share One of the two most complicated processes in Florida cities is Permitting and Code Enforcement. Any contractor or owner stresses out when submitting a Permit. Sadly, many are tempted to do work without Permits. This is a huge mistake. If you are caught, Code Enforcement will cite you and you may be fined and at a minimum and/or charged double Permit Fees. Fines will accumulate until you file for a Permit. Over the past years, we have addressed many of the deficiencies in Permitting. We have upgraded systems, fully staffed our Department and have contracted with both Broward County and CAP to provide additional Review and Inspection Services. Obviously, we still get complaints but often it is due to incomplete responses. All Permits must be submitted online. Documents must be uploaded by the applicant. Reviews are then done by all specialties that are impacted. Only after all reviews are done in the cycle the applicants can resubmit corrections. The Permit then has to go through the cycle again. Applicants sometimes think it just goes to the specialty that failed. This is not the process. The Permit must be checked off again as changes to one may have an impact on the others. This process can take 10 working days or more. Our City’s working hours are Monday through Friday, so the ten-day goal makes it about three weeks. I encourage applicants to go online and make corrections. Staff are available in City Hall but to meet with an Inspector you must request it online. Obviously our City and others are extremely busy with regular construction and 40-Year Inspection Projects. Even with the staffing Permits can take a long time due to errors or insufficient documentation. Expired Contractor Licenses, no insurance, no proper electronic signature on the plans or no product certifications and many other items can be omitted that add to the length of time that the Permit takes. This is where applicants and owners get frustrated. All of the rules are actually State Building Rules and they are the same in every City. Our Building Officials and Staff are required by law to ensure that all work is done with a Permit and meets all of the Codes. Owners also get caught up with doing demolitions without a Permit. A rule of thumb is that everything you do needs a Permit. I always tell people to check first. A good example is fencing. Even if you are simply replacing an existing fence. You need to file a Permit to ensure the fence meets all of the Codes. The Permit Plan is approved and then priced. The applicant pays the invoice and it can be downloaded and posted at the site. Construction can begin and Inspections are requested online. There is also a way to file for an early start Permit. This is done at the risk of the applicant. If something does not meet the Codes, it will have to be torn down. Inspections move pretty quickly. Finally, Inspection of the permitted work is performed then the Permit must be closed. Sometimes this close out is not done which also causes issues down the line as Permits expire. What about work without a Permit? This may be tempting but when it comes to Permits, it's far easier to get them rather than waiting to ask for forgiveness. This is where Code Enforcement comes in. Code Enforcement can receive a complaint regarding construction. It used to be individuals could do this anonymously. The state now does not allow anonymous complaints. Code Inspectors can also simply just be out surveying their assigned quadrants and notice construction taking place. Code Inspectors also provides notices of Violations for all types of Property Infractions. Code Officials cannot simply enter premises without a Warrant. That is a Violation of our Constitutional Right to privacy under the 4th Amendment. Code Enforcement Officials are able to observe the front of private properties. They cannot enter a back yard unless invited. They can observe back yards from an adjacent property. Other Inspections can be required by law. Fire, Business Licenses and Certificate Of Use and all items where an Inspector is permitted. Most Inspectors are focused on building safety, windows, roofing and other maintenance issues like crumbling walls and paint are critical. Electricity and plumbing are also vital life safety issues. We often get these types of complaints from tenants who can let officials in. Then you have basic fencing, pool safety and maintenance, parking, illegally stored vehicles, trash and overgrown grass. Code Enforcement Officers used to always give warnings first. Either the officer would speak directly to the Owner/Manager and let them know they were in violation by leaving a notice. They were issued a warning and had 10 days to correct it. We are not required by law to do this, but Code Enforcement truly is not set up to be punitive but to get compliance. We still provide leeway but in cases of trash there are no warnings now. All trash and bulk can only be put at the curb the night before pick up. We have made this a policy to address illegal dumping and to keep our roadways clean free of debris. I have received a Notice of Violation. What happens next? I will go further into the process for Code in next week’s article. As always, I am available for your questions, concerns, and ideas to help make our city a better place. Please feel free to reach out at my office: (954) 457-1318. on my Cell/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . < Previous News Next News >

Calling All South Florida Artists: MOCA Announces An Open Call For Its 2023 “Art In The Plaza” Series Thu Dec 15 2022 17:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Concerts At The ArtsPark, Featuring: Jah Steve & The Counteract Crew, Saturday, July 13th at 7:00 p.m. Thu Jul 11 2024 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Want To Live Abroad? Apply To Participate In The Japan Exchange And Teaching Program Thu Nov 17 2022 17:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

It’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season March 14, 2024 Share Sea Turtle Nesting Season takes place every year from March 1st through October 31st. During this time, the City of Hollywood’s “Turtle Friendly Lighting Ordinance” is in effect, when the City’s Hatchlings are attracted to light. On undeveloped beaches, the ocean horizon is lighter than the land so new hatchlings head toward the water. In an urban beach environment, artificial light from buildings can disorient hatchlings and attract them away from the ocean. Turtle friendly lighting can minimize disorientation and make Hollywood Beach more hospitable to these endangered species. The Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program (BCSTCP) documented 4,785 nests on the County's 24-mile coastline (including the Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park) in 2023. That’s a record for our area, and Hollywood’s sandy beach plays an important role in that success. Our beach is the desired nesting habitat for three species of Endangered Sea Turtles: Leatherbacks, Loggerheads and Greens. It is vital that everyone does their part to ensure future successful Nesting Seasons on Hollywood Beach. Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting Lighting near the beach should be "Sea Turtle-Friendly" and follow these three criteria established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Keep It Low: Fixtures should be mounted as low as possible to achieve their purpose. Fixtures/Bulbs should produce the lowest Lumens (Light Output) necessary for the task. Keep It Shielded: The Bulb, Lamp or Glowing Lens should be shielded from the beach. Interior Lights should not be visible from the beach. Close curtains, shades and blinds after sunset. Keep It Long (Wavelength): Fixtures/Bulbs must produce Long Wavelength Light (560 nm or longer) without Filters, Gels or Lenses. Amber and Red LEDs are good examples of these types of light: Also keep in mind that even lights from cell phones can also disturb Nesting and Hatchling Sea Turtles. If you visit the beach at night during Nesting Season, please keep your cell phone safely stowed in your pocket or bag. Turtle Friendly Lighting Recognition Pilot Program Last year, the City of Hollywood launched a Turtle Friendly Lighting Recognition Pilot Program to increase awareness and compliance with the City’s Turtle Friendly Lighting Ordinance by way of recognition of those property owners who are certified compliant. Hollywood’s Turtle Friendly Lighting Ordinance (§108, O-2011-07) requires that Exterior Lights be mounted as low in elevation as possible, shielded so that the light source is not visible from the beach, directed down and away from the beach, and have a Low Wattage Amber or Red Bulb. To reduce or eliminate the visibility of Interior Light from the beach, Tinted Glass or Film must be installed on North, East, and South facing doors and windows on new developments. Existing buildings can install Window and Door Tint, move Light Fixtures away from windows, close the blinds and curtains, and turn off all unnecessary lights. In April, the City will recognize a property that achieved compliance with our ordinance. To learn more about the program and how to apply to be recognized, visit: www.hollywoodfl.org/turtlelighting < Previous News Next News >

Founders Park SplashPad Summer Hours June 11, 2021 Share Please be aware that face masks must be worn at both the welcome booth check-in as well as at the SplashPad gate entrance The SplashPad is now open through Sunday, August 29, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily, excluding Tuesdays. Reservations are required. So get splashing this summer! The SplashPad is located in Founders Park’s north section, and it is a safe and refreshing recreational water play system composed of nozzles, structures and loops producing an array of water spray options used to cool off, play, and enjoy. A great swimming pool alternative, the SplashPad is a safe aquatic play area - even for small children - requiring little supervision because of no standing water and zero water depth. Summer Hours Monday 10:00 AM -6:45 PM Tuesday Closed Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:45 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:45 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:45 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:45 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:45 PM Guest capacity at the SplashPad is limited for the safety of everyone and to ensure physical distance; therefore, reservations are required, and walk-ups are limited and not guaranteed. With a reservation, families are able to comfortably settle in at their assigned area, which includes designated tables and chairs under the shaded sun deck. There is no cost to make a reservation. Reservations Required reservations are open to Aventura residents only with a valid and existing account on the City’s Online Registration System (ORS). Residents can reserve a time slot beginning each Friday at 8:00 a.m. To control capacity at the SplashPad, residents must be prepared to select all household members who will be in attendance at the time of reservation to guarantee spot(s). Visit cityofaventura.com/ors to begin and complete a reservation. Please email parksrec@cityofaventura.com to cancel an existing reservation for any reason so that staff can provide the canceled time slot to another resident. Additionally, please arrive for your reservation on time. Reservations will be cancelled after 15 minutes of a no-show reservation. Safety Please be advised that complete details may be subject to change due to any updated safety restrictions and guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), and Miami-Dade County. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the return to the new normal phases of operations, the City of Aventura’s Community Services Department carefully planned and prepared the opening of the SplashPad with guidelines to safely protect the health and welfare of the community it serves. Please be aware that face masks must be worn at both the welcome booth check-in as well as at the SplashPad gate entrance. < Previous News Next News >

Who Represents You During A Home Sale? You Should Know the Differences Prior To Selling Your Property Thu Aug 01 2024 16:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Celebrating 120 Years Of Dania Beach - Kicking Off The Holiday Season In Broward's First City November 14, 2024 Share Celebrate the City’s 120th birthday and the magic of the holiday season at Light Up the Night, presented by Dania After Dark on Saturday, November 16th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dania Beach City Hall Plaza will transform into a winter wonderland filled with community spirit and cheer. Event admission and parking is free. Complimentary gifts to the first 120 attendees, while supplies last. Dania Beach History Originally known as Modello, the city traces its roots back to the late 19th century when it became a hub for tomato farming and the Florida East Coast Railway. The growing community optimized a spirit of progress that played a pivotal role in its development and resilience through challenges. The historic roots of the first city in Broward County date back to the 1880s, when much of what is now the FEC railroad line was laid through the area. In recognition of this transportation advantage, a pioneer and developer named W. C. Valentine planned a settlement called Modello and 12 Danish families moved from Chicago to settle there in 1898-1899. Three years later, 30 Danes were recruited from Oconto, Wisconsin, to colonize the settlement, and the first home was built by A.C. Frost, for whom a park is now named. Frost built the first general store in 1902 and became Modello’s first postmaster. He also built and donated the towns first two schools. The following year, Dania Methodist Church was erected, becoming the city’s first place of worship. When the town was incorporated in November 1904, its 35 residents, most of whom were Danes, changed the name to Dania. By 1912, Dania was a thriving community of almost 1,200 people and continued to grow through the 1920s when the city suffered tremendous setbacks. In 1925, the Dania Hotel caught on fire, and the Bank of Dania failed due to embezzlers in the Bank’s Atlanta home office. The 1926 hurricane with its 200 mile-per-hour winds devastated the town, destroying the first church building completely, and subsequent damage prompted residents to vote for annexation to the neighboring City of Hollywood. De-annexation came in 1927. Tomato Capital of the World Early immigrants prospered in tomato farming and, as early as 1910, the Florida East Coast Railway was shipping to northern U.S. cities from "The Tomato Capital of the World." During the three-month winter harvest, over 200 farmers shipped 1,000 to 1,500 train carloads of tomatoes and V. Taoring of New Orleans set up a tomato paste factory which contributed to local prosperity. In 1927, the first Tomato Day Celebration was held to raise funds for the new Dania Methodist Church. Attracting a crowd of over 5,000, it was so successful, that the celebration continued into the 1940s featuring messy, but official, tomato fights and a Miss Tomato Festival Pageant. In the late 1940s, the tomato boom was over, as crops began to fail from saltwater intrusion into the fields. Antique Capital of the South Just as the tomato industry was fading, a new type of commerce -- the antique business -- arrived when Genevieve and Willard Ely set up shop in 1945. It took 10 years for other antique businesses to follow, but it wasn’t long thereafter that Broward’s first incorporated city once again gained fame, this time as the "Antique Capital of the South," along Federal Highway. Antique Row became not only a browser’s and shopper’s paradise but also the stores themselves are located inside buildings steeped in the city’s history including Broward County’s first movie theater. The City has a wealth of historic architecture and a variety of architectural styles including Greek Revival (Dania Bank Building 1923); Mission Revival (Model Land Company Building 1900); Mediterranean Revival (the Martin Frost House 1913); and the Dania Beach Hotel, built by Francis Abreau in 1925. Art Deco styles are also present in the Florida Theater (1939) and the Pirates Inn, formerly the Hotel Katherine (1940). Light Up the Night The evening of November 16th will kick off with live music and festive activities followed by a dazzling drone show lighting up the night sky in celebration of the city’s rich history. The ceremonial Christmas tree lighting will join the light show finale. Families will have the chance to create lasting memories with a visit from Santa and his helpers, perfect for capturing holiday photos. Guests can also enjoy a variety of free activities and treats, including an ice-skating rink, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and storytelling with Mrs. Claus. Participants are encouraged to join the Ugly Sweater Competition, with prizes awarded for the most festive outfits. “This isn’t just a holiday celebration; it’s a special milestone for Dania Beach as we celebrate our 120-year legacy,” said Dania Beach Parks and Recreation Director Cassi Warren. “We invite everyone to come together, share in the joy, and create wonderful memories with our amazing community! Entertainment Schedule 6:00 p.m. Collins Elementary Youth Group 6:15 p.m. South Florida Cloggers 6:25 p.m. Kwanzaa Kinara Ceremony 6:30 p.m. Elected Officials Speak to Attendees 6:40 p.m. Drone Light Show / Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:55 p.m. South Broward High School Band 7:00 p.m. Santa Arrives (scheduled to change) 7:25 p.m. Ugly Sweater Competition 7:30 p.m. TBD Road Closure: Dania Beach Boulevard from Northwest 1st Avenue to Northwest 3rd Avenue will be temporarily closed during the drone show for safety. Parking: Complimentary Parking and Shuttle Service will be available from the Dania Beach Casino, running continuously from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an unforgettable evening of celebration and community at Light Up the Night! For more information about the event, visit Dania After Dark or contact Dania Beach Special Events at: (954) 924-6800. Extension#: 3627. < Previous News Next News >

Let Go Of The Anchor: What Is Holding You Down In Life Wed Apr 17 2024 16:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

This Thanksgiving: It Is Time To Be Very Thankful & Careful Thu Nov 25 2021 05:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hallandale Beach Parking Update: There Has Been Frustration Over the Different Zones By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper December 9, 2021 Share Over the past few weeks, I have received emails and calls about our expanded parking program. There has been frustration over the different zones. I have received some supportive and some not supportive calls about The Golden Isles/Diana Drive Zone. Over the past month what has happened is the program has worked on these blocks. Golden Isles Drive parking is limited to the number of spots that have been established. These spots were designed under codes required by Florida Department of Transportation standards for turning radius and sight lines. This is why there seems to be areas that everyday citizens would think there should be spots created. We can not change this layout. The good news is with the new plan there are many more spots open on Diana Drive. These spots are walking distance to Golden Isles Drive. It turns out that many of the condos at the Beachwalk have become vacation rentals. There is parking at the building but the people renting or visiting do not want to pay. In addition, the hotel does charge for spots, but it was cheaper for many not to pay. With the increase to 4 dollars an hour many of the spots are now vacant. So, the program does work by expanding the available spots. There have also been issues everywhere in the City about the storage of work vehicles, campers and trailers. Diana Drive has been a dumping ground for these types of vehicles, which will be ticketed. I have still received some concerns over nurses and caregivers having to pay. I also had some complaints about motorcycle parking. One person complained about guest parking but was not sure if this individual was also a vacationer or an owner. These are valid concerns that we hope to address in the next budget cycle. I cannot say at this time it will be remedied but we all are aware. The next location of concern has been Atlantic Shores. Many residents that own units along the corridor were unaware that the spots were not a common area of the building but they are city property which poses a unique situation. For years we have had enforcement issues there. Many vehicles, campers and trailers were being stored and residents were complaining that these vehicles were parking in their spots. So now those residents are required to pay or have a monthly pass. Passes are $30, which is $1 per day. Hourly is more and hopefully this will free up spots just like on Diana Drive. The next location is along the area of Northeast 3rd Street which is a combination of residential and commercial parking. Just a few years ago, there was no parking along this corridor. When Art Square was built as part of their approval, they had to make improvements to the road. This upgraded the area tremendously and added more spots, Art Square does have its own parking. The new townhouses were built with 2 spots per house but some of the other buildings were built using the old codes. Due to the mix of concerns over vacation rentals and spillover of commercial vehicles that were staying all day long, this area was set at $4 per hour with no monthly passes and this is where the issue lies. On one hand residents received more spots but now we want to make sure that overnight rentals and commercial vehicles are not using those parking spaces and then there will hopefully be a balance created by the program. We also have an issue with business parking, as we are in the midst of expanding a new lot that is also being upgraded along 1st Avenue and north of 3rd. Residents are requesting that we issue them monthly passses because at this point in time there have not been any commitments to make any changes until we gather some more data from the new technology that has been adopted. The Pay by Phone technology will give us an idea of the demand and uses within each zone. I have yet to hear complaints from Three Islands, but I am sure there are some residents that are not thrilled with the program. With this said the first report and even visual observations have proven that the program is working. Are there issues over some zones? Yes, but we are asking the residents to be patient until we have actually collected all of the data. The other area of good news is our beach parking. Our City was one of the cheapest so many non-residents loved to come to our beach. We love visitors, but in all actuality they do not pay taxes and they are using our resources and amenities. By increasing the hourly rate for visitors, we have created additional revenues. I have been asking for overnight parking at our beaches for many years. We will hopefully look at some types of expansions in the upcoming budget. We have very limited parking at North Beach. The expansion will certainly help offset the demand from Etaru and will make our North Beach Community Center more desirable as a rental or for future lease. This will open up spaces at the properties on the beach for overflow, from overnight parking. Beginning after the first of the year our parking program will be fully implemented and enforced. As a reminder the fees for the program offset the program costs and do generate much needed revenue. The information on this program can be found on our website at: www.cohb.org . As always feel free to contact me anytime with your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City a great place to live, work and play! I am available by phone or text at: (954) 632-5700. E-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Or visit my Facebook: Mayor Joy Cooper. Or you can visit my web-site at: www.MayorJoyCooper.com < Previous News Next News >

Celebrate Women’s History Month: The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami Offers New Exhibitions Thu Mar 09 2023 17:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)