Permit to build on Scrub-jay lot. (Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda: real estate, house, buying)

[PS2020]

Hi everyone, I am looking at a lot in Punta Gorda, but it is in a Scrub-jay area.

Does anyone know of any case where the Fish and Wildlife has actually given permission to build in one of these lots?

From what I've read, the key word is "mitigation", so with that in mind we could build the house on raised platform, so this would still allow plenty of habitat for the birds.

The only changes on the lot would be a driveway and where the posts would be anchored to the ground. All the rest we would leave as-is.

Thanks in advance.

[TamRE]

Here is the link to the application for review of a lot by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. http://charlottecountyfl.com/Communi...date022206.pdf

Here is the Charlotte County scrub jay link: Scrub Jay Zones

Someone from the Charlotte County Natural Resources may be able to answer your questions.

Natural Resources
2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd
Port Charlotte, FL 33952-5209
941.613.3220
email: Andy.Stevens@charlottefl.com

[mr&mrssunshine]

you may need a licensed person (not sure the exact term) to help you...we just had a potential gopher tortoise hole on a lot . had to employ a guy (who also deals scrub jays) to monitor and trap if there is one there...cost about $1000

[North Beach Person]

If the FL/USFWS program and requirements are anything like MD's Critical Areas laws (which I support, by the way) I'd tell you to look for another lot somewhere else.

We have people in my County who built on eroding cliffs that they can not reinforce due to the presence of an endangered beetle.

[Harbor Hopper]

Yes, you can get permission to build IF in fact this lot inhabits scrub jays. If there are none on the actual lot, the county/state can't do anything to you. If there are damn scrub jays (annoying & useless), it will cost you a lot of $$$ for "habitat replenishment". From what I heard a while back, you have to buy another parcel of property to be used for scrub jay habitat. It's a joke. I'd move on and find another lot out of the thousands available

[HarborRat]

We all live in a "scrub jay area". You will have to pay $$ for a survey unless it is already deemed a scrub jay lot. If it is or found to be you will need to buy two (2) lots in a habitat preserve in order to build on your lot. It is a scam. The lots you will be forced to buy and hand over to the county are prime real estate to be used by them at a later date. At a later date they will sell this large area to a developer that couldn't care less about some little blue squawking bird.

Get the facts before you buy..it could be financially worth it or just a plain useless lot.

Building the house on raised stilts? Seriously? Hurricanes will love you, and it would cost more to do in the long run than just buying a normal lot and building on it.

If you already own the lot go clear as much ground cover as you can before the inspection, the "birds" will just go next door. I say that jokingly as I think each family of scrub jays need something like 25 square miles to call their own. I am half serious as those birds like to stay close to the ground. PETA loves this little blue jay brother more than humans....good luck.

[PS2020]

Originally Posted by HarborRat

Building the house on raised stilts? Seriously? Hurricanes will love you, and it would cost more to do in the long run than just buying a normal lot and building on it.

Of course 'seriously'. If done right, elevated structures (either with stilts/ poles or pedestal) can withstand higher wind forces, because wind will flow all around and under the structure, and thus not present as much wind resistance as the hurricane passes through. Not to mention protection from surges and floods.

But anyway, getting back the our little friends, I've made some calls as well, and while not impossible to build in a lot in a review area, it just seems costly more than anything, and that would offset the initial good deal I was going to get on the lot. So guess I'll stick to non-review lots, even if a little higher priced, there's plenty of inventory out there.

Thanks all for your responses.