11/23/2021

The following communication was authorized by your Board to advocate for replacing the 4-way stop signs.  If you have an opinion, please share it with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Commissioner Ryan:

On behalf of the RVCA Board of Directors and in response to requests of Rio Vista residents I have been attempting to have permanent 4 way stop signs added to SE 11 Avenue in Rio Vista since early 2019.  

We have come to a point where we are in need of additional advocacy from your office as this matter is beyond the scope of City authority despite extensive work from Sorensen and TAM.  Some background:

• In May of 2019 a County traffic study found 4-way stops signs not warranted based on the guidelines. (attached & below)
• In December of 2019 subsequent to a sewer main break temporary signs were placed at SE 7 Street and SE 8th Street along SE 11 Avenue as a part of an MOT to address construction traffic.  No complaints about the additional stop signs were provided to the RVCA at any point.
• In June of 2021 the County conducted an additional traffic study making the same findings. (attached & below)
• In Summer 2021 the County advised the signs at SE 8th Street and SE 7th Street on SE 11 Avenue were not permitted to be at the locations.  With the help of City TAM we were able to keep them there due to ongoing work still related to the sewer main break.
• On November 19, 2021 the County required the signs be removed, residents were outraged and flooded my email with complaints, which were reiterated at our General Meeting. 

Our ongoing efforts have resulted in Rio Vista being the first neighborhood to have a written monthly report designed to keep residents up to date on our neighborhood initiatives.

Please visit TAM Status Reports

Several of our residents have raised concerns regarding short-term vacation rentals in our neighborhoods.  These properties have the potential to significantly impact the quality of life for their neighbors with large groups of people coming and going each week and disrupting the peace and quiet of our neighborhood.  Unlike some neighborhoods that are empowered through covenants attaching to their properties, the RVCA is a voluntary association and has no enforcement powers.  We must rely on City ordinances to mitigate the negative impacts of these properties.  This article will identify and summarize the primary ordinances governing these properties and provide you with information about how you can register a complaint when you believe a property is in violation.

City Ordinances

In December of 2016, the Fort Lauderdale city commission passed ordinance C-16-25 which amended Article X – VACATION RENTALS, of chapter 15 of the city code of ordinances. 

The full text of the ordinance can be found here:  Ft Lauderdale VR Ordinance

In summary, the ordinance establishes a registration program for any vacation rental, it defines the process by which registrations may be applied for and the penalties for failure to register.  It specifies several life safety items (smoke detectors, pool fences, etc.) that must be present and empowers the city to inspect the property annually to ensure compliance.  It further establishes limits on the number of people allowed on the property, rules regarding parking, a requirement to adhere to noise ordinances and various penalties for violations.

According to the city attorney’s office, this is about as far as the city can go in terms of regulating vacation rentals.   In fact, there has been a bill introduced in Tallahassee each of the last several years which would strip the city of the right to regulate these properties.  It would grandfather our existing ordinance as long as it is not amended.  Fortunately, these bills have not passed the legislature.  It will likely come up again next session so keep your eyes out and inform your representatives of your opinion.

Noise Complaints

The primary complaints residents have regarding vacation rental properties are noise related.  City ordinance chapter 17-NOISE CONTROL sets out the rules and restrictions pertaining to Noise levels.  The most relevant terms are found in 17-7 Specific Restrictions:

1.Amplified sound. No person shall cause, allow, or permit the operation of any amplified sound device from the following use districts or locations in the following manner:
     a.Residential use:
          i.Sound shall not be plainly audible for a period of one (1) minute or longer at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet or more when measured from the source property line between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily.
         ii.Sound shall not be plainly audible for a period of one (1) minute or longer at a distance of fifty (50) feet or more when measured from the source property line between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.

 The full text of the ordinance can be found here:  Noise Control Ordinance

How to Report Violations:

For violations of the Vacation Rental Ordinance you should check the city’s vacation rental website at Ft Lauderdale VR Program Page

Here you will find links to all registered properties by district.  You can also find a list of all properties that have been issued citations and their current status.  If you believe a property is not in compliance you  may report it to the City vacation rental department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the city customer service number: 954-828-8000.

Noise complaints should also be phoned to the customer service number: 954-828-8000.  If you are a subscriber to Protect Rio Vista, you may contact the patrol directly if they are on duty.

Summary

Please do not hesitate to enter a complaint if you know of a property that is non-compliant.  Only by strict enforcement of our current ordinances can we mitigate the impact of these properties on our enjoyment of the neighborhood.  RVCA will continue to work closely with our Commissioner and the city to establish constraints to the extent permissible by state statute.

Your RVCA Board

The first of the new dock permits along Cordova Rd are on the agenda for the Marine Advisory Board on April 1st.  Click below for the full agenda and a link to sign up to speak.

4_1_21_MAB_agenda.pdf

Bill Kirk reported the following update at our General Meeting on 1/25.

At the last General Meeting held on September 21, 2020, Raj Verma provided an update of the expected scope and timeline of the Tarpon River clean up project. I wanted to provide a brief update to that summary:

In December the City submitted the water quality assessment reports for Tarpon River and George English Lake to the FDEP. A link to these reports is provided at Tarpon River Water Quality Report

FDEP has given the green signal to start the suction dredging for both George English Lake and Tarpon River.  Since the City has the permits for George English, dredging there will begin as soon as purchasing is able to secure a contractor. Permitting is in progress for Tarpon River. As soon as that is obtained, the work on the river would begin promptly. The city’s target start date is still Spring 2021.

Himmarshee Canal assessment is ongoing.  The City has until April 30, 2021 to submit the Himmarshee assessment report. The city hopes to have it done sooner.

Miami Waterkeeper have started sampling for water quality testing. The weekly testing by Miami Waterkeeper began on Tuesday January 12  and results are immediately posted on the Swim Guide (theswimguide.org).  Sampling sites in the Tarpon River, at George English and in the Himmarshee canal were included.

A virtual RVCA general meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan 25 at 7:30PM.  Please note the agenda here.