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Reference Items: Click below for up to date information

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Code Compliance Map

 

Accessory Dwelling Units

Thursday, April 11, 2024: Stop by the East Community Library at St. Petersburg College from 6 to 7:30 p.m., for an informal discussion about the proposed amendments.

The City of Clearwater Community Development Code is being updated to establish standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Mortgage Fraud Notification Sign Up

The threat of mortgage fraud and identity theft crimes continue to rise, and all too often victims of these types of fraudulent activities are unaware their homes or identity have been stolen. While Property Fraud Alert does not prevent fraud from happening; it provides an early warning system for property owners to take appropriate actions should they determine possible fraudulent activity has taken place. It’s simple! Just enter your personal and/or business name and you will be notified when a document is recorded with your name match.

Link to a fraud alert you can register for with the County. Below he describes some scary ways that individuals can make fraudulent deed claims that could result in a property getting refinanced or sold fraudulently. The alert is a way people can sign up to have their name monitored within the Recorder’s office to track possible fraudulent recordings that affects their property.

https://www.propertyfraudalert.com/select

Legislative Call to Action on January 25, 2022

Background

Years ago, the Florida Legislature passed a law prohibiting local governments from setting up smoke-free areas at public parks and beaches. As ridiculous as it is, Clearwater cannot stop someone from smoking in the dugout of a Little League field. We also can’t keep cigarette butts off our beaches. This is an issue that affects the environment, health, welfare of children, the economy and tourism AND it’s a Home Rule issue.

The Solution

There are two new bills, HB105 and SB 224, that empowers local voices to make local choices about smoking at public parks and beaches. But before the Legislature can make it a law, the bills must go through the committee process.

HB105 passed the House Professions & Public Health Subcommittee on January 25th and now needs to be heard in the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee  

SB224 next needs to pass the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee

How You Can Help

By Friday Jan. 28th, please send two quick emails that say:

I want my city to be able to regulate smoking in public places.

Please put the public smoking bill on your next committee agenda. 

Here are the two email addresses:

Brodeur.Jason.web@flsenate.gov

James.Buchanan@myfloridahouse.gov  

Thank you for your advocacy!

Updated Legislative Call to Action: SB518

A Weekly Update About Something You Can Do While the Florida Legislature is in Session
January 1/25/2022

SB 518:  Residential Home Protection

Background
In 2019, the Florida Legislature passed a law that banned local governments from enforcing many of their tree ordinances. This left cities and counties powerless to protect healthy trees from people with less than good intentions. The law led to abuses, including the clear-cutting of land and the removal of healthy trees that presented little, if any, risk to people or buildings.  This is a Home Rule issue affecting the environment, the aesthetics of our neighborhoods and our beautiful trees.

The Solution
FL Senate Bill CS/SB 518 puts tree removal and trimming back into the hands of local government; not distant Tallahassee lawmakers.
Next, it must pass in the Senate Government Oversight & Accountability Committee. Lucky for us, a local legislator, Senator Jeff Brandes chairs this committee.

How You Can Help
Please call his local office at 563-2100 and/or send a quick email to say:  I want my city to be able to regulate tree removal.   Please agenda the bill in Governmental Oversight & Accountability.

Here’s his email address: brandes.jeff.web@flsenate.gov

Thank you for your advocacy!

Public Forum to Introduce Clearwater City Council Candidates

In preparation for the March 15, 2022 election, the Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition (CNC) will host a public forum to learn about six candidates competing citywide for two city council positions.  The event will be held via Zoom video on Monday, January 24 at 7 p.m.  

Candidates vying for election will include: David Albritton, Maranda Douglas and Gerry Lee, (seat 4); Aaron Smith Levin, Lina Teixeira and Jonathan Wade (seat 5).  Questions from the audience may be submitted in advance. For more information and to submit questions go to:  www.ClearwaterNeighborhoods.org/hot-topics. 

Register in advance for this webinar at this link or by scanning the QR code:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f8ErWD86Rlmb7S0kgVsc-A

P.O. Box 8204, Clearwater, Fl 33758-87204    Connect@clearwaterneighborhoods.org

____________________________________________________________

Media Release

Date: January 12, 2022

For release: January 12-23, 2022                              

Contact: Kelly Kelly, CNC Secretary, 727- 724-4949