Cape looks to hire licensing investigator to crack down on unpermitted projects
Position would be funded by adding a $5 fee to building permits
The hiring of a licensing investigator and the addition of a $5 surcharge fee to all building permits to fund a crack down on unpermitted work is on the Cape Coral City Council’s Wednesday agenda.
Development Services Director Brett Limbaugh is requesting the council’s approval of one full-time license investigator for the Development Services Department to better protect residents from unpermitted work, consumer fraud, and unlicensed trade activity within Resolution 216-26.
The specialized investigative scope will include verifying state DBPR records, auditing active job sites, documenting financial transactions, issuing civil citations, and preparing complex evidence files for special magistrate hearings or criminal prosecution referrals.
The funding source will come from the proposed $5 permit fee surcharge, which officials said would fully offset the salary, benefits, and operational expenses associated with the position.
“The surcharge fee shall be retained in a special fund in order to support future enforcement activities against unlicensed contractors throughout the jurisdictional boundaries of the city,” Resolution 217-26 states.
Other introductions on the council agenda include:
n Ordinance 51-26, approving the second amendment of a conservation easement for passive recreational uses at Yellow Fever Creek Preserve between the city and the South Florida Water Management District.
The preserve, located in northeast Cape Coral, is approximately 198 acres of natural habitats that include pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, cypress forests, and constructed features. Yellow Fever Creek Preserve has planned amenities for campsites, environmental educational center, public parking, disc golf, bird-watching areas, fishing, and a network of hiking trails.
Agenda documents state that although Yellow Fever Creek Preserve “possesses significant ecological value and recreational potential, the existing access points and trail network do not fully support public access or environmental education.”
To address that need, a plan was developed by the Parks and Recreation Department for three boardwalks totaling approximately 2,025 linear feet, each with a 120-square foot viewing platform.
The water management district has requested that the city execute a second amendment of conservation easement to authorize passive recreation uses within the easement.
The public hearing is set for Sept. 2.
Wednesday’s council meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
The meeting is open to the public.
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