The Bay Harbor Island Town Council met at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
THE MAIN ITEM
After an hourlong debate, the Bay Harbor Islands Town Council agreed to delay amending the hours of construction in the town code to permanently stay from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and ban all weekend work, except for special preapproved applications for construction.
Bay Harbor Islands’ staff presented the council with two options on how to fix townwide concerns about the constant murmur of construction that only ceases on Sunday. Although the council unanimously agreed to stop all construction on the weekend, they couldn’t agree on whether grandfathered-in companies would be permitted to work an extra hour from 8 to 9 a.m. weekdays, according to Councilwoman Kelly Reid.
Both options included a two-tiered variation of the amended work hours, but Reid shot down the idea, arguing that the town needed one code for construction. No vote was taken. Instead, the council approved revisiting the ordinance in a first reading at the town’s June council meeting.
“What’s the difference in even changing these hours if I’m going to have 8 o’clock start on one side and 9 o’clock start on another?” Reid asked, adding that it would be a “nightmare” for one code officer to enforce. “We’re too small and our quarters are too close to have a two-tiered system.”
OTHER BUSINESS
▪ Vice Mayor Stephanie Bruder sworn into office: Bruder, now vice mayor through a council appointment, faced criticism of her new title on the dais during public comment from residents. Although a minority questioned the council’s appointment, the town attorney said no legal issue had violated any rules in picking Bruder for the job without knowing if she wanted the added responsibility.
▪ Hiring landscape architect to redesign east island’s street corners: After discovering the town’s influx of development had run down several of the east island’s street corners, Councilman Joshua Fuller sponsored an item to consider hiring a professional architect to redesign various sections of the landscaping. The council agreed to have staff members investigate a proposal for the area and seek guidance from Bill O’Leary of O’Leary Richards Design Associates for the project.
▪ Advertising in Town Newsletter: Councilwoman Kelly Reid proposed implementing a pilot project to include advertising in the town’s monthly publication. The council voted 5-2 for the resolution. Mayor Jordan Leonard and Councilman Isaac Salver voted against.
▪ Demolition: The discussion of possible amendments to recently adopted demolition ordinance was deferred to next month.
THEY SAID IT
“We do so many things for the developers — I see plans are just revised, and you let it go or things are extended. It all comes back around again, so I don’t see any reason why they can’t give us some slack.” — Councilwoman Doris Marano, about striking a deal with developers on compromising on their approximately 52-hour work week.
YOU SAID IT
“The east island is becoming a dock and dust bowl, and you have no respect for the residents of this town on the east island. The problem we’re having now is our setback. You’re allowing new developers to take over our right of way. We have no room for sidewalks.” — Resident Frances Heuhut, about the town’s ongoing construction.
THE NEXT MEETING
▪ When: 7:30 p.m. June 9.
▪ Where: Second Floor, 9665 Bay Harbor Ter., Bay Harbor Islands.
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