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MEMORANDUM Date: December 3, 2012 To: Janine Jordan, City Manager From: Randy Hunt, Community Development Director Subject: Report: Community Development Dept. – November 2012 Building Permits: Here are the permit summary statistics for October 2012: Month YTD 12 YTD 11 Month YTD 12 YTD 11 New Single Family 4 57 74 651,293.00 7,160,871.00 10,097,958.95 New Multiple Family 2 17 2,086,419.00 10,314,275.00 No. Units - YTD 12 (19) No. Units - YTD 11 (90) New Manufactured Homes Residential Remodel 20 229 243 215,107.00 2,777,408.00 2,286,745.31 New Commercial or Industrial 2 3 367,686.00 9,372,172.00 New Public Facilities Commercial, Industrial or Public Remodel 3 49 84 514,581.00 11,292,476.00 24,197,659.00 Demolition 2 11 17 10,000.00 84,490.00 420,402.00 Signs 15 10 103,959.00 44,030.00 Electrical 49 268 341 68,850.00 2,869,364.00 3,883,115.47 Plumbing 35 314 333 97,175.00 3,701,177.00 6,132,728.00 Mechanical 23 175 218 155,990.00 1,837,835.00 6,192,756.00 Misc. TOTALS 136 1122 1340 $1,712,996.00 32,281,685.00 72,941,841.73 Permits Valuations1 The YTD totals include 10 out of 12 months in the calendar year (Jan. though Oct.), which corresponds to 83.3% of the year gone. As we have noted, this year’s collective valuation for construction is less than 50% of last year’s valuation to date. Total permits issued so far in 2012 come closer to 2011’s YTD mark at around 84%; but valuation is a better measure of economic activity. I am aware that there’s much discussion in the community regarding the perceived negative impact of additional UDC regulations on construction activity, compared to the old code. I will not say there’s been no impact; the staff knows of several projects that were scaled back or dropped altogether – at City of Laramie Community Development Department P.O. Box C Laramie, WY 82073 Planning: (307) 721-5207 Code Administration: (307) 721-5271 Fax: (307) 721-5248 Engineering: (307) 721-5250 Fax: (307) 721-5216 TTD: (307) 721-5207 ---PAGE BREAK--- December 3, 2012 Page 2 least temporarily – because of unexpected development issues and expenses required by the new Code. However, I do not think the majority of the drop-off in permits and valuations can be attributed to UDC, for a simple reason: Much of our commercial and industrial permit activity (remodel as well as new) is directly tied to one entity: the University of Wyoming. That has been the case for many years. When one thinks about major commercial projects in Laramie since mid-2010 (UDC effective date), activities on campus are prominent. Examples include the new Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center, the new Visual Arts building, and major renovations or expansions to the Business College, Coe Library, and War Memorial Stadium – all multi-million dollar projects. The Bison Run Village student apartments on Willett, though not commercial, boosted the 2011 valuation considerably. By contrast, UW’s new construction in 2012 has been considerably less (not counting projects begun and paid for in 2011 or earlier). Significant examples are the Geology Museum renovation, renovations to White, McIntyre, and Downey Halls, and several demolition permits such as the old Ivinson Hospital – hardly in the same valuation league as Berry Center. It is hoped that this is a one-year lull in UW construction, and major new projects such as the Enzi STEM building, College of Engineering reconstruction and expansion, and Half-Acre Gym , will bring in new permits and new revenue next year. Bear in mind also that academic facilities at UW are not subject to UDC design review, although building permits are required. All of the above notwithstanding, the staff is mindful that some UDC provisions may need adjusted. As with any new code, the “shakeout period” is still underway. Staff will return to Council with a third round of UDC revisions in early 2013. Code Enforcement: The Department conducted 80 nuisance investigations during the past month, including 48 new investigations. Of the total, 24 cases remained unresolved by the end of the month. November is a variable month from year-to-year for Code Enforcement actions; weed season is over, but snow may or may not be a major feature of the month. This year, November snow has been scarce – so scarce that not a single sidewalk snow-removal case was processed. This has allowed the Inspector additional time to address other issues, especially junk. Volunteer hours for assisting with clean-up efforts total 7 this past month. The Board of Nuisance Appeals heard no appeals during the past month. Code Enforcement Inspector Brian Forster continues to advance his professional standing, and in November was able to attend the AACE conference in St. Louis. As Council may recall, Brian is an advanced certificate-holder in his field – an unusual distinction. Brian has been asked to teach a short ---PAGE BREAK--- December 3, 2012 Page 3 course for the Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials next spring, which testifies to his skills. Following are violation and abatement statistics for November 2012, with previous month for comparison: New Issues for Nov 2012 Type of Violation Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Offensive Growth 130 14 7 21 6 556 6 Junk 27 14 24 38 13 203 13 Junked Vehicles 7 4 2 6 5 50 5 Abandoned vehicles 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 Other 27 0 15 15 0 117 0 Snow removal 22 0 0 0 0 227 0 Nuisance Totals 213 32 48 80 24 1160 24 Volunteer Hours 280 0 7 287 0 Currently on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials (CACEO), which includes 6 members from WY Date End of November October Attended AACE (American Association of Code Enforcement) Conference from 27-29 November 2012 2012 2012 End of Year to Researched and initiated collections process for delinquent code enforcement abatement debts Planning: November 2012 highlights include: • Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment met once in November holding a hearing on the following matters: o CUP-12-11 2552 North 15th Street (E-Free Church) – Building/Parking Expansion (Postponed to December 10, 2012) o CUP-12-12 1733 Glacier Street – Type 2 Child Care Home (Approved) • 6 new development applications were submitted to the Planning Division during the month of November, consisting of: o CUP-12-13 1514 Barratt Street o SSI-12-04 Laramie Ford o SSI-12-05 The Pointe o DR-12-08 The Pointe o A-12-03 Silver Sage Estates (East of 19th Barratt) o Z-12-05 Silver Sage Estates (Establishment of R1) ---PAGE BREAK--- December 3, 2012 Page 4 • Staff received a petition for Municipal De-annexation of the Laramie Country Club. De- annexation is generally discouraged but may be logical in this case, as the nearest City sewer line is over 2 miles away, with no plans for extension. De-annexation requires City Council action within 180 days of filing. The De-annexation petition needs to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners within 60-days of filing. The City is unable to take any action on the de- annexation until the County’s 60-day review period is over. Staff has been in contact with the petitioner and the County regarding the process and water and sewer service. It is expected that any de-annexation will include a provision for initiating re-annexation if sewer service extends to the Country Club someday. • The Ad-Hoc Committee established to oversee the update to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan met on November 7, 14 and 17. The committee is currently working on evaluating trail and on street bike lane locations. Staff is also beginning to prepare for Town Hall type meetings regarding the progress made sometime early this winter. • Staff continues to work with AVI Engineering on preparation of the LaBonte Park and Boulder Addition (Laramie High School) Plats. • Work on other long term projects continues: o A draft Ordinance on the Tree Area Overlay Zone is anticipated to be ready for City Council in the next month or two. o Staff continues to receive feedback for future Development Code revisions and expects to bring “Round Three UDC Revisions” forward to the Planning Commission this fall. o Staff is proposing amendments to the mobile home, manufactured home, recreational vehicle park and campgrounds sections of the municipal code in regard to licensing and licensing requirements. A resolution will be brought to the City Council on December 4, 2012, directing staff to proceed with amendments and to retroactively extend presently licensed facilities. Proposed amendments will be brought forward to the Planning Commission in early 2013. o Tri-Hydro has been selected to work on the I-80 Aquifer Protection Monitoring Well Design and Hazardous Spill Detention Pond Design. This is a County-led project with City and WyDOT active participation. o The Laramie Downtown Development Plan was handed out to the Planning Commission on 11/26/2012 for their review and will be back before them for discussion and vote at their January 14, 2013 regular meeting. o Staff has selected Coffey Engineering to survey property being considered for donation to the City of Laramie for open space, parks and trails located along Grand Avenue, south of the Turner Well Field. o An RFP for the update to the Turner Tract Area Plan is on the street and will close on December 17, 2012. It is anticipated that this plan will be updated no later than summer 2013. ---PAGE BREAK--- December 3, 2012 Page 5 Report of Engineering Division DATE: December 3, 2012 TO: Randy Hunt, Community Development Director FROM: Larry Ketcham, City Engineer RE: November Activities Development Review • Continued review for Indian Ridge Final Plat Submittal. • Staff had numerous meetings with consultants working on the proposed high school site in the Turner Tract parcel. • Staff has issued the grading permit for “The Pointe at UW”. Coordination with other City Departments • Staff drafted up an alternatives of the “Bolt Parking lot (public parking at 1st and Grand). • Staff continues to assist in the new application for a Brownfield Grant (Spring Creek Channel area). Construction Inspections • Inspection oversight for infrastructure improvements within the City’s Right of Ways, continues with as some projects started construction late in the construction season. • Staff has completed various inspections of local development projects erosion control measures. • Staff has had various meetings with DEQ, to move the Banner Road Liftstation and outfall sewer projects forward. Capital Improvement Projects. • A work session with the City Council is anticipated in February on the North Laramie Drainage study. It is hoped the study will be finalized by the spring of the year. • Staff continues working on the one remaining SPT alley and utility reconstruction project that will be bid for construction for next year construction. Traffic Commission • Traffic Commission reviews and activities have markedly increased over the last year.