This week, the City of Treasure Island is diligently working to clear a backlog of approximately 320 permits before transitioning to a new system during the first week of February.

To focus on this task, the City’s Community Development Department will be closed to the public on Tuesday and Thursday of this week.

Currently, over 300 permits are under review. Starting the week of February 3, the department will reopen with a new permitting process designed to save residents time who were impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“When residents come in to fill out an application for a permit, we’ll ensure it goes through all the necessary departments: the building department, zoning department, and floodplain management,” said Jason Beisel, spokesperson for the City of Treasure Island. “We’ll make sure the permit goes through these departments while they’re there inside City Hall.”

The new process aims to eliminate the need for residents to return to City Hall for corrections or missing information that could delay permit issuance.

Additionally, three floodplain managers from the State Emergency Operations Center will assist for the next six months to expedite permit approvals.

“Our goal is for residents to come in for a permit and walk out with one the same day,” Beisel said.

In December, the City Commission instructed staff to proceed with “option two” for Substantial Damage Determination.

Despite these efforts, some residents report prolonged waits for application progress.

“We’re 120 days in, and there’s still no progress,” said Kim Covello, a Treasure Island resident. Covello’s contractor submitted a permit application to install drywall and remodel her kitchen after Hurricane Helene flooded her home.

“I sit around looking at my house and think, ‘Ugh, we had it the way we wanted it, and now I can’t put it back yet because we’re waiting for permits,’” Covello said. “I hope mine comes soon. I hope and pray it arrives.”

Even with the department’s temporary closure, applications can still be submitted online.

To date, the city has received over 1,900 permit applications. Staff has issued approximately 1,000 permits, leaving around 950 still to be processed.

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(Image credit: City of Treasure Island)