Norfolk: Boone built 2-story structure without permit

NORFOLK

Inspectors last week cited restaurant owner Ronnie Boone Jr. with zoning and building code violations over a two-story structure the city says was built without a permit.

The structure is behind a house Boone owns in West Ocean View. Boone is accused of building an "accessory structure" without a building permit or zoning certificate and of violating the 14-foot height limit for such structures, according to the city's citations. The structure also has exterior stairs leading to its second level, which are not allowed by zoning ordinance.

Boone and his parents own the Ocean View Fishing Pier restaurant and other properties, and their restaurants also have been cited for work being done without permits. In 2006, Boone agreed to pay a $10,000 fine for building the top deck on the pier's restaurant without approval.

At the structure in West Ocean View, a second story with a porch was added to the top of the garage after December 2010, city officials said.

Boone said Friday that roof repairs by a work crew "got bigger and bigger" after a large limb fell on the garage. He admitted he did not get the building permit and exceeded the height limit.

"I'm going to correct it," he said. "I don't know exactly what I'll do, but it will be corrected."

He may have to submit building plans, allow an inspection and pay the fee for a building permit, Norfolk Planning Director Frank Duke said. The minimum fee is $135.

Boone can appeal the height violation or ask zoning officials for a variance to allow it, or he may have to tear down the second level, Duke said.

Duke said he did not know how often a house or building is constructed or expanded in Norfolk without a permit but that there have been numerous violations.

"We typically find them when someone else notifies us," he said.

City Assessor Deborah Bunn said the value of Boone's building was increased last week to $10,000 from $4,800, adding about $57 a year to the tax bill. Taxes will be assessed back to July 1.

Boone's father, Ronnie Boone Sr., told an assessor's office employee that the building is being used for storage, Bunn said.

The employee was not invited inside, she said.

Patrick Wilson, (757) 222-3893, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com