Palm Beach County Discussing Possible Recertification Rules For Condos

Residential Building In Miami Partially Collapsed

Photo: Getty Images North America

The Palm Beach County Commission has begun discussing the idea of creating a mandatory building recertification rule, in response to the Surfside condo collapse.

But Vice Mayor Robert Weinroth says they should not take any decisions lightly.

"The value of these condominium units is going to be impacted. The people who live there, many on fixed income, are going to find themselves very quickly facing special assessments that are going to drive them out of those condominiums."

He also reminded the commission that "we still don't know what caused the catastrophic collapse," pointing out that it "doesn't normally happen."

Still, Weinroth and others on the board voiced support on Tuesday for moving forward in discussing a re-certification program for certain buildings in the county, including high-rises.

They also agree that a 40-year plan would be too long to wait between inspections, and factors like a building's location and type of construction used should play a role in determining a proper timeline.

Commissioner Melissa McKinlay says something needs to be done on the state level.

"If a couple other counties decide not to do anything and something catastrophic happens in those counties, everybody's insurance rates are going to be affected."

A group of building officials, contractors and structural engineers met last week to discuss a countywide recertification program and they're looking to the commission for direction.

No vote was taken on the matter.


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