Residents and business owners in St. Pete Beach are expressing deep frustration at city hall over substantial delays in the post-hurricane permit issuance process. A large group of community members marched to the city council meeting yesterday, demanding action and a quicker response to their growing needs. Many are currently unable to begin reconstruction work on damaged properties due to this bottleneck, as detailed by WFLA.
Jill Mederos, a resident grappling with the reality of paying both a mortgage and rental fees, told ABC Action News, "I live on the island. I'm faced with the fact that I can't rebuild my home." The sentiment was echoed by multiple voices at the city hall event, where, people shared stories of financial and personal adversity resulting from the permit gridlock. While the city's stated goal is to process 75 permits daily, it is significantly behind schedule, with only about 100 permits issued since October 1, from over 1,048 requests received.
Business owners like Matthew Vario are feeling the strain, too. "I have four businesses all throughout the beaches. I have over 200 employees. Right now, more than half of them are not working," Vario explained in a report by WTSP. Despite the clear economic and emotional toll, the path to recovery is compounded by the slow pace of the local government's response. However, the city has made some efforts to address the backlog, with Marc Portugal, a city spokesperson, confirming that 11 out of 18 additional staff members requested for the permitting process have been accounted for.
Meanwhile, the city's Community Development Director Denise Sanderson noted some adjustments to aid in the process, particularly a new FEMA packet expected to remove the 10% contingency clause, as per WFLA. According to Sanderson, this means "an owner, builder or contractor through change orders could indeed exceed a 50% calculation and any investment made into that home or business if you will would be subject to demolition and lifting."
Throughout the clashes at city hall, homeowners articulated their desperation for action – seeking not only the ability to repair but also some semblance of their previous lives. "I don’t know what else to do. I just want my house back that my dad owns. It’s not a lot some flooring, drywall, cabinets," one homeowner lamented at the meeting, as reported by WTSP. With each day that passes, the frustration grows—as do the costs and challenges for those affected by the recent storms and the permit delays.
