Surfside to vote on quitting Sister Cities International and undoing 2024 home setback rules

Surfside commissioners will vote Tuesday, Nov. 10, on pulling the town out of Sister Cities International, on a final vote to throw out the single-family zoning rules a previous commission adopted in 2024, and on a new building permit fee schedule, according to the agenda the town posted Thursday.

Leaving Sister Cities International

Mayor Shlomo Danzinger is sponsoring a resolution that would end Surfside’s membership in the group immediately and have the town manager seek a full refund of dues. In his memo, the mayor objects to an Oct. 23 “U.S.-Palestine Sister Cities Roundtable” the organization held, saying no Israeli representatives were invited and that the event showed the group is not neutral. He also writes that the organization never listed Surfside’s sister-city partnership with the Shomron region despite the town’s request.

The resolution says the town would keep its sister-city partnerships directly, including Shomron, and affirms the town’s support for Israel. The agenda packet includes no response from Sister Cities International.

Undoing the 2024 setback rules

On second reading, the commission will consider repealing Ordinance 2024-1785, adopted Oct. 8, 2024, which changed setbacks, yard rules, lot standards and accessory buildings in the H30A and H30B single-family districts. The town attorney’s memo says the town would go back to the rules in effect before that date, except for one side-setback provision the commission chose to keep at first reading on Oct. 13. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval Oct. 29. Homeowners planning to build or expand in those districts would be affected.

New building fees

A study by JRD & Associates proposes moving major permits to fees per square foot, to comply with a 2026 state law (House Bill 803) that bars inspection fees based on a project’s total cost. The draft fee guide lists $5 a square foot for new commercial buildings and $4 for residential new construction and remodels; the study’s summary lists $5 for new homes, so the two documents in the packet differ. Kitchen and bathroom remodels would carry flat fees of $600 to $800, and seawall repairs $700.

Also on the agenda

• Reappointing Town Clerk Sandra N. McCready as acting town manager.
• A first reading to rename the Resort Tax Board as also the “Tourist Board.”
• An ADP payroll and HR contract of up to $55,000 a year, and up to $100,000 a year for stormwater system maintenance by EnviroWaste Services Group.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 9293 Harding Ave. Public comment on items not on the agenda is set for about 8:15 p.m.