HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2021 CC MinutesISSUES ORIGINATING FROM 310 FAITH TERRACE
FIRST ISSUE — The appearance and existance of extreme commercial lighting
"You shouldn't need sunglasses at night"
A. Owner has commercial grade LED outdoor stringlights that are kept on from dusk to
dawn and are visible for over 900 feet up Faith Terrace from S. Wimbrow Drive. This
lighting has been an annoyance among many neighbors by lighting up surrounding
properties. This is not security lighting in any way. You can't point flood lights at a
neighbor's house, so how can 100 bright lights that run almost the entire length of his
yard, twice around, be acceptable? They are just as bright and annoying.
B. When I called the police, I was told to call Code Enforcement. When I spoke to Code
Enforcement, I was told to call the police. The police said "Just get blackout drapes"
and when a neighbor called the Code Enforcement office, the same thing was said. Is it
really their place to tell residents what window treatments to use inside their homes? It
boiled down to the fact that they were just trying to avoid addressing the situation.
C. IRC Environmental Control Board House Bill. 666 Sec. 2: The purpose of this
legislature states that pollution includes any contaminates or synergistic agents that
unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
D. Same House Bill Sec. 3.1 -states the following definition: "Environment" shall
include a person's surroundings which effect the reasonable enjoyment of life or
property. These lights negatively affect other neighbors' environments.
E. Same house Bill Sec. 3.2 — Definition of "pollution" is the presence in the
environment which unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of life or property. These
lights are an environmental pollutant and also a senseless waste of energy.
F. The City of Sebastian Code of Ordinances definitions Sec. 66-1 (6): States a nuisance
is anything that essentially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and
property or tends to depreciate the value of the property of others. Both of these apply to
this lighting situation.
G. One of the counties researched was Broward county. They have a lighting ordinance
that states the definition of "light trespass" is light that illuminates surfaces beyond the
property boundary. Light trespass can also be described as light that extends into an area
where is it not wanted or needed. The term "light spillage" is another definition that can
be used in this instance. An ordinance of this type would be a welcomed addition to the
Codes of the City of Sebastian.
I want to mention that a member of IRC Code Enforcement was very helpful in the
research of IRC and other city/county lighting ordinances and I greatly appreciate all of
the information that was provided to me.
2. Second issue with 310 Faith Terrace —The unsightly structure in front of the house
A. Owner has a loosely covered metal framed structure in front of his house, on his
driveway, which is used to store recyclable junk, cut up metal pieces and a broken down
truck. The plastic tarp covering of the metal frame structure has been left on to the point
of shredding and falling apart. This structure is an unsightly eyesore and can be seen all
the way up Faith Terrace from S. Wimbrow Drive, just like the lights at night. The
ordinance regarding trailers, removable structures, boats, RV's, etc. require them to be
beside or behind the front line of the dwelling. A side load garage should not be the
reason that this is being allowed. Shouldn't the ordinance be amended accordingly?
B. Owner takes in old appliances and metal objects and breaks them down to take to the
metal buyer at the dump for money. This has included refrigerators and A/C's which is
also an environmental issue. The outrageous noise that is generated when he is cutting
metal and stripping copper wire is very loud and disturbing to myself and nearby
neighbors. If there is money being made doing this, would it also be considered running
a business? As a note, a realtor recently approached the Owner's next door neighbor and
stated that this structure and activity depreciates the value of the surrounding properties.
This is of great concern to many of the homeowners on Faith Terrace.
C. Another concern is that the cut up metal and other objects stored in this structure are
not securely enclosed. A hurricane or strong winds could create a potential hazard of
flying debris to sunounding properties.
D. Each of the codes and definitions stated for the lighting issue also pertain to this
issue. This means that this structure essentially interferes with the comfortable
enjoyment of life and property and/or tends to depreciate the value of the property of
others.
In conclusion, the residents of Faith Terrace are here tonight asking you seriously look at
how the owner of 310 Faith Terrace is infringing on his neighbor's quality of life by
being allowed to power up bright lights continuously ALL night, EVERY night, keep an
eyesore structure in front of his house and engage in a disturbing salvage operation.
These issues are very detrimental to our lives and our properties and we are hoping you
will help us get back to a better life in this beautiful town we live in.
Thank you