The need for regulations to address community appearance or curb appeal has the same origins as the need for minimum property maintenance standard, that is, the 2000 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.

 The re-emergence of interest in community appearance standards also share the same source as minimum property maintenance standards – the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

 Further support lending credence for community appearance standards came from two other sources: - Economic development studies - Community conversations.

 The first economic development study to recommend community appearance standards was the May 2014 DeSoto County Competitive Florida Asset Mapping Report, prepared by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

That report identified as a specific area for improvement “Property maintenance on US 17 corridor.”

The second economic development study to recommend enhanced curb appeal is the October 2014 study called Competitive Community Assessment, DeSoto County, Florida.

That study recommended the County “Aggressively enhance the community’s curb appeal, especially in areas of high traffic.”

In April 2014, the first annual Community Conversations meetings were held in various locations throughout the County.

 More than 74 percent of those attending ranked community appearance or curb appeal as a High Priority while another 23 percent ranked it as a Medium Priority.

 In April 2015, the second annual Community Conversation meeting were held.

 Of those persons attending, over 60 percent ranked community appearance or curb appeal as a High Priority while another 32+ percent rated in as a Medium Priority.

In October 2015, the County Administrator directed the Development Department to take the lead in preparing an Ordinance establishing community appearance standards.

In November 2015, a draft minimum community appearance standards Ordinance was brought before the Planning Commission for discussion and the Commission recommended the Ordinance be finalized but requested that it undergo significant public involvement.

The Development Department has taken has placed the Ordinance and the inspection form on the County website, has presented the Ordinance to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Director, and has sent letters to licensed real estate brokers and salespersons inviting them to attend today’s presentation.

Realtors and salespersons are perhaps the persons who best understand how curb appeal affects the marketability of property. You best understand the loss in sales and property values associated with properties for sale that are in proximity to poorly maintained properties.

Today I will briefly discuss what the proposed Ordinance regulates, and what it doesn’t regulate.

– Doors, door-frames, and their appurtenances – Windows, window-frames, and their appurtenances – Trim features – Fences, walls and gates

For further information please visit The Desoto County web site (proposed regulatory changes being considered)