'Cease and desist' ordered for Cash's renovations

Okaloosa County has ordered renovations to a future combination liquor store and sports bar in Laurel Hill to "cease and desist" after it was discovered a permit had not been issued for the work.

At issue is a building on State Road 85 purchased by William "Cash" Moore that used to house the What's It Shop, which has closed. Moore plans to open a retail liquor store and small sports bar at the site.

A contractor working at the site Wednesday said he was "cleaning up and painting" at the property and that he was not doing anything that required a building permit.

Inside the building, however, a horseshoe bar was under construction, new electrical lines had been run and framing nailed in place.

When questioned about the work the contractor, who declined to give his name, refused to comment. He was working out of a pickup truck with "1 Source Contracting" stenciled on the side of it.

When asked about the renovations, Okaloosa County's chief building official in Crestview, Purl Adams, sent an inspector to the site.

Adams said the inspector told him, "It looked like some (electrical) circuits were done, he was building a bar and framing around a bathroom. I said, 'That's more than cleaning up and painting.'"

The issue first came up at a Tuesday meeting of the Laurel Hill City Council, when residents in the small rural community north of Crestview questioned why work was being allowed on the building although no permit had been issued.

"They've been working there for weeks, day and night," said the Rev. Mike McVay, pastor of First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill, a vocal opponent of the bar and liquor store.

Laurel Hill Mayor Joan Smith said, however, that the city does not issue permits.

"How can the city get involved with it?" Smith asked. "We don't tell you to get a permit, the county does."

The city, which has no code enforcement division, has an interlocal agreement with the county to provide inspection and permitting services.

Under the agreement, city officials are required to send an "approval letter" to the county stating that the new business meets city zoning requirements before the county will inspect the building and issue work permits, Adams said.

The city never sent the letter, said Angie Edge, the county's permitting and licensing manager.

"I've talked to them (city officials) several times," Edge said. "I would think they understand it."

Adams said he would contact the owner and inform him that "he was going to have to get all of his ducks in a row" before work could resume.

Once the city's letter of approval is received, site plans will have to be submitted. Permitting will require the building be brought up to code and made handicap accessible.

"There are all kinds of issues; it goes on and on and on," Adams said.

When contacted, Moore said he didn't think any of the work being done required a permit.

"We aren't tearing out any walls or anything," Moore said.