Article Courtesy of The Marco Eagle
By Omar Rodríguez Ortiz
Published August 16, 2019
The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection notified the
Madeira on Marco Island's condominium
association and contractor RR Restoration
that roof construction activities must
continue to be ceased until proper
construction permits are obtained.
The Marco Eagle
reported on July 25 that DEP sent two warning letters on
July 22 to the Madeira's condo association and RR
Restoration after a department inspection revealed several
code and law violations.
DEP personnel noted the removal of native dune vegetation,
use of heavy equipment, damaging the existing dune and the
unauthorized addition of shell fill material as a road base
during a July 2 inspection.
The warning letters required both parties to schedule a
meeting with DEP within 10 days to provide the additional
information necessary for the department to complete its
regulatory review.
DEP’s Compliance Assurance Program and Division of Water
Resource Management team held a teleconference with the
Madeira on Marco Island condominium association and RR
Restoration on July 24, according to Alexandra Kuchta,
operations analyst at DEP.
"Both parties are cooperating with DEP’s regulatory review,
which is ongoing," Kuchta wrote Thursday in an email to the
Eagle. "During this call, DEP conveyed that roof
construction activities must continue to be ceased until
proper Coastal Construction Control Line permits are
obtained." |
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A pile of the removed vegetation was still visible on
the seaward side of the Madeira Condominium on July 22.
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DEP’s Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) Program regulates structures
and activities which can cause beach erosion, destabilize dunes, damage
upland properties, or interfere with public access.
"Regulated activities include the construction of all structures such as
homes, condominiums, hotels, amenities, and armoring structures such as
bulkheads, revetments and seawalls," Kuchta wrote. "Any kind of protection
structure, ground alteration or vegetation removal activity seaward of the
CCCL requires a permit."
Neither the Madeira on Marco Island's condo association nor RR Restoration
applied for a CCCL permit from DEP prior to beginning activities associated
with roof repairs, according to Kuchta.
"On July 31, 2019, DEP received a CCCL permit application to resume
activities on the seaward side of Madeira on Marco Island Condominium,"
Kuchta wrote. "DEP’s Division of Water Resource Management and CCCL
Permitting Program are reviewing the application."
RR Restoration and the condo association’s management staff are working
closely with DEP to secure approval for resuming work along the exterior of
the building, according to Dennis Kariores, operations manager at RR
Restoration.
"As general contractor for roof replacement at exterior work at the Madeira,
RR Restoration has gone to great lengths to secure the proper permits and
protect the beach in and around the Madeira property line," Kariores said.
Kariores said to the Eagle in July that he had "no idea" about the reported
code violations.
"We didn't tell anybody or authorize anybody to remove that vegetation,"
Kariores said at the time. "That's not our equipment there."
DEP intends to pursue formal enforcement in this matter in the form of a
consent order.
"Restoration of the dune and beach will be required, as well as civil
penalties," Kuchta wrote. |