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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter; Deck @ 48 Aqua Ra Dr.Benjamin Balcer From: Bill Latham <wslatham@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 7:45 AM To: Linda Pendanris; Benjamin Balcer; Leslie Olson; Bill and Stacie Latham Subject: Deck @ 48 Aqua Ra Dr. Jensen Beach SECURITY WARNING: This email originated from outside the County systems. Please show caution when clicking links or opening attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe: Good Morning Linda, You probably already noted this one on your List, but #20 Aqua Ra Dr., there was a Permit for a new rear Deck issued on February 7, 2003 to Lee Wansor, owner. Please call me this morning @ 772-370-5977. Thank you, fJ 1 Bill Latham G ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Bill Latham <wslatham @yahoo, com> To: pendarvisl@stlucieco.org <pendarvisl@stlucieco.org>; balcerb@stiucieco.org <balcerb@stlucieco.org>; olsonl@stlucieco.org <olsonl@stlucieco.org>; Bill and Stacie Latham <wslatham@yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2020, 06:14:23 PM EST Subject: Deck @ 48 Aqua Ra Dr. Jensen Beach Hello. I spoke briefly to Linda Friday afternoon @ 4:45 and will be calling again Monday morning. I want to include everyone into this discussion because it is warrantable. Here's the background: We own a small 1/2 duplex on a canal in Jensen Beach. The street, Aqua Ra Dr. has approximately 22 Duplexes/44 units on the canal, and 1 duplex not on water. They were built during the mid to late 1970's (ours was built in 1978). The 1 /2 duplexes, hereinafter referred to as "units", have small back yards, and the units vary in elevation, meaning that the units at the beginning and middle of the street (east end) are a little higher elevation than. the units down the end of the street (west end). Ours, #48, is approx. in the middle and has a higher elevation. Please understand, and I can't emphasize it enough, that the backyards of these duplexes, being on a shared canal with Windmill Village, are the most important and valuable aspect of them. Otherwise they are just a small residential unit. Some of them have been totally renovated and are larger (ours has not and is less than 1200 sq. ft.), but the back yards of most units are the same size (37.5' wide). . I state the aforementioned to not only provide you a background of the situation and location, but because it has total relevancy. Being that we are a little higher elevation the previous owner tiered the back yard, with a steep side section to the seawall. (Please see the photo that was sent to Permitting and Lydia in Zoning, along with drawings, Survey, etc.). Under the pavers at the house there is an 8' x 29' slab at the back door of the unit and the top of the slab is approx. 27"-28" higher than the seawall top. Being that the Building Code does not require a railing on any level UNDER 30", he (previous owner) didn't have to install one. My wife while watering some potted plants at the edge of the top tier miss -stepped and almost fell over the edge, but still significantly hurt her leg. Despite having potted plants and other items at the edge, this is the 2nd time someone unknowingly almost stepped over the edge, and this will NOT happen again. So, we have an 8' slab, that does not allow a 5' table with people sitting on both sides of the table, enough room to move their chair back and away from the table, and then there is 7' (lateral) that is significantly sloped to. the seawall (useless), as well as the side which is also sloped and unusable space. To me, (or any realistic person) as a State Certified Building Contractor, in both Residential and Commercial Construction for over 45 years, the logical solution, and what snakes the most sense to better utilize this small area is to keep this heavy slab in place and attach a level deck portion the 7' in depth to the seawall and have a few steps down to the dock. We will attach the top decking to the slab surface so everything is level and even, and we will have a proper railing. The dec ill be very close to the :height of the adjoining units patio (#46), and as stated to Lydia in Zoning, Pete and P l�(#46 owners) who we are friendly with, have no objection at all to the deck. What we are proposing isn't any different than wanother duplex units on our street have done. You utilize the small space in the best practical manner. In fact, there are many on our street, including the single family homes across the street that have Pools, Decks, Gazebos, Tiki Huts, Covered Docks, Fences etc. that are right tip to their seawalls, and there is nothing wrong with any of it. Just look at what you have already Permitted. If we were in one of the lower elevation duplexes where the elevation is about 10" above the seawall, I wouldn't even be writing this. We submitted this on 1.1-5-20 and I have discussed the structural aspect of the deck and' preliminary drawings with Joe in the Building Dept. and I was ready to send. Stamped and Sealed drawings to them today, and I would like to move forward. St. Lucie County charges us $5,000.00 per year in Taxes for an 1178 sq. ft. 1/2 duplex built in 1978- we have NO sidewalks, streetlights, parks, or anything else the County provides and it is UNACCEPTABLE that someone is going to attempt to deny us using our small backyard to it's logical and best use. No one is harming anyone else, no one is harming the environment, no one is harming wildlife, no one is causing destruction, degradation, or harming property values. To the contrary. Considering the intelligent and logical aspects of this tiny project, at some point the "human element" has to be considered here and the "governing bodies" need to just let people live their lives ! Sincerely, Bill Latham 48 Aqua Ra Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 772-370-5977 Please Note: Florida has very broad public records lairs. Most written communications to or irorn County officials regarding County business are public records available to the public and media upon request. it is tare policy of 5t. 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