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lity To Crack Down On Illegal ConstructionBy PETE DOBENS Journal Staff Writerarasota building officials are cracking wn on illegal construction within the city d alleged violators are being processed rough the Florida Construction Industry censing Board.Phil Koch, city building and zoning Iministrator, said his office has found a mber of illegal construction activities dur-g the past few weeks.I don't think everyone understands that units are .needed before any work can gin,” said JCoch. Without proper city rmits, alterations are illegal and could be bjected to removal.We give everybody a chance, said Koch out not charging all alleged violators with regarding city ordinances. “But the repeat fenders, we turn them over to the FloridaConstruction Industry Licensing Board.”The board regulates all registered contractors in the state. If violations are filed, the contractor must explain his side. If work is done illegally, he must also explain In recent weeks the city has asked John Viking, construction board representative in southwest Florida, to investigate complaints against Mark Cohn, Jr., of Marco Builders, Inc., Michael A. Haman of Build Well Construction, Inc., John J. Monahan of Monahan and Lewis Construction and AI Welch of Cote Brothers Remodeling, Inc.And there are more coming,” said Koch. ‘‘We have to get the people to understand we are trying to protect them. They should get a licensed contractor for any work being done.Koch said his office became awafe of the growing problem when it was approving occupational licenses issued via the city finance office. All licenses are sent to Building and Zoning to check zoning in the area.We found two companies who moved into downtown stores this past Saturday without first getting occupational licenses,” he said. Repairs being made to the buildings had to be stopped as no permits had been issued.It’s a businessman's responsibility to get an occupational license and it must tie cleared before he moves in, he said.If businessmen would come to us before they get started it could avoid problems in the future,” Koch said. “We are here to serve the public.”Koch said his office will send representatives to inspect buildings before work begins. It will clear the way for permits to be issued and avoid delays caused by stop orders.‘‘If people proceeded right the first time, it would save a lot of time, he said.Because of discoveries over past months, Koch said the city is inspecting buildings on every occupational license issuedKoch said the home repair man can do his own work in his own home or duplex, but for anything larger, a contractor is required. This protects not only the dweller, but the person who may buy the building in the future.You can't hire a handyman to do the work He must be licensed by the state,” he said.Many of the cases before the building and zoning officials are ... . an innocent tenant who hasn’t done his homework. But general contractors who don’t secure permits are problems.When a violation is brought before the state construction board, end result could be revocation of the contractors license or suspension of his right to work Koch said the city tries to avoid drastic action but when repeat offenders continually circumvent city ordinances, the state has to be called.I wouldn’t say there are many, but there will be more,” he said after releasing the names of the four latest contractors turned over to the state board The contractors were cited in some cases for not obtaining permits and in others for allowing their license to be used by non-registered builders.Koch said the city is willing to help all builders and to work with them. Like the Call Candy before you dig” program of General Telephone. Koch said he urges all businessmen and builders to call city ball before repairing or altering any building.
Newspaper Details
Sarasota Journal
Sarasota, Florida, US
Thu, Dec 07, 1978
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Lindsay M.
USA 02 Jan 2025
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