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Rowden drops proposed storm ordinance

The commissioner withdraws her proposal to require builders to secure construction materials before a major storm hits.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published September 21, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - They are united by a public safety mission.

The Hernando County commissioners all want to make sure that construction materials do not become deadly projectiles during a hurricane.

But at the Tuesday commission meeting, they disagreed over how best to protect Hernando's citizens from airborne construction debris in a storm.

Facing opposition from her colleagues, Commissioner Diane Rowden withdrew a proposed ordinance that would require all construction materials on building and construction sites to be secured, stored or removed so as not to create a safety hazard.

The county's staff had planned to schedule a public hearing on Oct. 18 to consider adopting the ordinance, which would have provided for "the removal and securing of roof tiles and other construction materials during tropical storm and hurricane warnings and watches."

"I don't think we should move forward until we know there is a problem," County Commissioner Chris Kingsley said. "I think we should try to get a collaborative effort."

Laws now on the books require that construction debris be contained in some way, whether in trash bins or by some kind of fencing.

Yet Rowden thinks the materials should be more secure.

Other commissioners and representatives from the building community said they agree.

However, they urged security through education and cooperation.

"We're going to take a more holistic approach," Hernando County emergency management director Tom Leto said.

Industry advocates said what's needed is more education - not more legislation.

"I don't think we need another law on the books to cover that subject," said Bob Eaton, chairman of the government affairs committee for the Hernando Builders Association.

Rowden withdrew the proposed ordinance, but said she remains concerned about the dangers of wind-propelled construction material as forecasters predict heightened hurricane activity for the state.

But she said there would be future changes to the existing ordinance.

"We need to figure out ways to better secure them," Rowden said.

Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mspicuzza@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]