CORTEZ – Residents of Sunny Shores want help from Gov. Ron DeSantis to keep their homes.
Citing community stability and economic burdens, an online petition drive is ongoing for residents of Sunny Shores asking DeSantis to consider a review and exception to the FEMA 50/50 rule.
Homes in the Sunny Shores community were flooded during Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and many were damaged further by the winds from Hurricane Milton. A number of those homes are now subject to the 50/50 rule which prohibits improvements to a structure exceeding 50% of its market value unless the entire structure is brought into compliance with current floodplain regulations. Those regulations include elevating the structure.
Sunny Shores consists of mobile homes along with single and multi-family properties. The land is owned by individual owners.
The petition was written by Jamie Reed who did not attend a Nov. 20 meeting in the Sunny Shores clubhouse. Betsy Plante explained the petition to residents.
“There is a precedent in Lee County where an exception was made, we were told, where the county made exceptions to the rule,” Plante said. “Jamie decided to put this petition on the Change.org website.”
The petition may only be signed online.
“Go to Change.org and search and type in Sunny Shores,” Plante said. “It says ‘petition to allow and review exceptions to the 50% rule for Sunny Shores.’ It doesn’t have to be just Sunny Shores people to sign this.”
She invited people to post the petition link on social media and share it.
Many residents questioned what they said were low FEMA values for their homes on the Manatee County Property Appraisal site, noting that those values may make compliance with the 50% rule difficult for some.
“The first place to start is this petition and get as many people as you can to sign the petition,” Plante said.
Plante, who is president and co-founder of The Blessing Bags Project, a non-profit dedicated to helping the homeless population, raised concerns about homelessness if residents are unable to stay in their Sunny Shores homes.
“I’m concerned about seniors and homelessness,” she said. “What’s going to happen if you put these people out of their homes?”
One resident suggested the group seek legal representation in addition to the petition.
“Would you like to try to get an attorney to come here just as a consult?” Plante said. “Blessing Bags Project will take care of the fee for a consult.”
The petition
“We, the undersigned residents and interested parties of Sunny Shores, respectfully petition for a review of the current application of FEMA’s 50% rule. While we recognize the importance of safety and resilience in floodplain management, we believe that strict enforcement of this rule places undue financial and emotional burdens on our community, particularly in the wake of the recent hurricanes,” the petition introduction states. “We urge state leaders to consider exceptions or adjustments to repair and restore our homes in a way that is both economically feasible and sustainable.”
The petition sites five reasons for the request.
“1. Economic Burden on Homeowners:
Requiring substantial modifications to meet current flood standards when repair costs reach 50% of a property’s structure value can create significant financial hardship for homeowners. Many residents in Sunny Shores, particularly those on fixed incomes, simply cannot afford the high costs of full compliance. This can force families to abandon homes they’ve lived in for many years, disrupting the fabric of our community.
- Precedent for Exceptions:
In past hurricane recoveries, Florida communities have been allowed flexibility in enforcing this 50% rule, helping residents rebuild quickly and affordably. We believe similar considerations should be given to Sunny Shores, allowing our community to restore homes without unnecessary financial strain.
- Expedited Recovery:
Exceptions for the 50% rule would enable our community to recover more rapidly from storm-related damage. Allowing repairs without extensive modifications can speed up the rebuilding process, reduce displacement, and help stabilize property values.
- Community Stability and Livelihood:
Our community is strong when its residents are supported in their ability to stay and rebuild. By allowing exceptions to the 50% rule, Sunny Shores can maintain its local identity, support its economy, and ensure that long-time residents are not forced out due to unaffordable mandates.
Our Request:
We respectfully request that state and local officials work with FEMA to review the 50% rule as it applies to Sunny Shores. Specifically, we ask for flexibility or special consideration in cases where strict enforcement of this rule would impose severe economic hardship, especially for properties with significant historic and/or sentimental value. Such exceptions would allow us to protect our community’s character and give residents the opportunity to rebuild affordably.
We, the undersigned, urge you to support a review of the FEMA 50% rule for Sunny Shores and to work toward a fair and compassionate approach to floodplain management in our community.”
To sign the petition, visit Change.org.
