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MEMORANDUM Date: December 9, 2013 To: Janine Jordan, City Manager From: Randy Hunt, Community Development Director Subject: Report: Community Development Dept. – November 2013 Code Administration, Building Permits: In Community Development’s November 26 City Council work session, October 2013’s summary figures, including YTD comparisons to 2012 (and earlier years), were provided and discussed at some length, so a long analysis here seems superfluous. With that said, I would like to underscore a key point, made at that meeting and in previous reports: In almost every category, our YTD totals in 2013 are ahead of the corresponding 2012 YTD figures. Especially in the Valuation and Fees columns, it is apparent that building activity is ongoing – in fact, increasing – in Laramie. The lone significant exception is residential remodels, and that category is often down when new single-family construction is up. I am fond of pointing out in these reports that construction at UW can skew figures on valuation with just one or two large projects. That is certainly still true, and likely will always be true. However, it’s important to point out that UW development does not take place in isolation from other development in town. In other words, although actual dollar amounts may be skewed by specific UW projects, development in Laramie sees a lot of spinoff benefit from those projects. It’s something of a cliché to discuss how much Laramie depends on UW, but in this case the cliché has truth behind it. As was noted in the work session, a five-year comparison gives better context than a single pair of years, and the five-year statistics do show a more steady pattern of building activity than does 2012- 2013 alone. Yet even that fact is a positive indicator. Many Wyoming communities thrive or suffer at the mercy of energy prices or tourist travel plans. Laramie’s steady-state development is certainly easier to anticipate and manage than towns where a drop in coal demand or a single large wildfire can do much damage, at least temporarily. The end of October means we are approx. 83 percent through the calendar year, which in construction terms means we are well over 90 percent finished with permit activity and collections. Our Annual Report in early spring 2014 will show the full-year picture. 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--- Month YTD 13 YTD 12 Month YTD 13 YTD 12 Month YTD 13 YTD 12 New Single Family 8 50 57 1,212,224.00 8,878,258.00 7,160,871.00 10,274.00 70,059.70 64,515.95 New Multiple Family 2 2 1,081,069.00 796,000.00 6241.06 16,602.00 No. Units - YTD 13 (14) No. Units - YTD 12 (19) New Manufactured Homes Residential Remodel 25 224 229 165,514.00 2,137,854.00 2,777,408.00 5,580.55 41,661.05 43,821.45 New Commercial or Industrial 2 2 15,010,247.00 448,686.00 58,262.15 2,374.15 New Public Facilities Commercial, Industrial or Public Remodel 10 67 49 1,129,884.00 27,069,935.00 11,292,476.00 9,209.80 132,165.93 68,398.84 Demolition 1 27 11 500.00 1,910,100.00 84,490.00 23.50 12,103.10 1,579.75 Signs 4 19 15 17,775.00 243,198.00 103,959.00 423.65 4,976.85 1,924.55 Electrical 22 197 268 129,475.00 3,413,909.00 2,869,364.00 2,707.45 33,720.00 34,091.20 Plumbing 24 321 314 121,325.00 6,854,613.00 3,701,177.00 1,820.15 32,319.60 33,023.15 Mechanical 11 151 175 524,582.00 9,122,943.00 1,837,835.00 1,882.45 13,730.35 16,726.10 Misc. TOTALS 105 1060 1122 3,301,279.00 75,722,126.00 31,072,266.00 31,921.55 405,239.79 $283,057.14 Plant Investment Fees 8 62 55 $46,656.00 $356,522.00 $282,552.75 Water Meters 8 67 53 $1,960.00 $22,525.53 $13,628.00 TOTALS 16 129 108 $48,616.00 $379,047.53 $296,180.75 Plan Review Fees 10 88 105 $9,353.76 $264,772.69 $100,487.74 Permits Fees2 Valuations1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Code Enforcement: Here are the Code Enforcement figures for November 2013: New Issues for 2013 Type of Violation Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Offensive Growth 209 78 0 78 0 699 0 Junk 23 11 22 33 15 198 15 Junked Vehicles 12 7 8 15 13 47 13 Abandoned vehicles 1 0 2 2 0 18 0 Other 7 0 7 7 0 94 0 Snow removal 0 0 22 22 0 265 0 Nuisance Totals 252 96 61 157 28 1321 28 Volunteer Hours 110 0 0 3 0 113 0 October 2013 2013 2013 End of Year to Date End of November (Code Enforcement Inspector Brian Forster is out of the office until Dec. 23. Next month’s Report will include a summary and discussion of CY 2013 Code Enforcement activities as a whole.) Planning: November 2013 highlights include: The Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment did not meet in November due to a holiday on November 11th (Veterans Day) and no items for the November 25th meeting (meeting canceled). One new development application was submitted to the Planning Division during the month of November, consisting of a Design Review Application for Antelope Meadows Mini Storage (under review). Five Building Permits were also reviewed for UDC compliance. City Council took action on several planning items at the Nov. 5 meeting: Approved modifications to the conditions of preliminary plat (PP-12-04) approval for Silver Sage subdivision; Postponed Silver Sage Annexation and Zoning Ordinances (Nos. 1883 and 1884) until February 4, 2014. City Council also took action on several Planning items on November 19: ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 Council denied FP-13-06 Gardiner Subdivision due to the fact that the Board of County Commissioners denied the subdivision because the developer had not entered into a required road maintenance agreement; Proposed amendments to the Mobile/Manufactured Home Ordinance (No. 1874) were postponed to May 20, 2014 to provide additional opportunity for public comment and substantial completion of the housing study; Planning Commissioner Jim McGrath was re-appointed to another three-year term on the Planning Commission; Council approved the contract between the City and Hannah:Keelan (Lincoln, NE) to perform the Housing Study. Planning Division staff continue assisting the Ad-Hoc Committee established to oversee the update to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan (Recreation Systems Master Plan). Staff continues to work on the writing of the document and as parts of the plan are completed they will be provided to the committee for review. Multiple chapters, maps and information have been reviewed by the Ad Hoc Committee. Staff continues to work with AVI Engineering on preparation of the LaBonte Park. Zoning Enforcement: This year to date, staff has investigated 35 enforcement actions. The following Enforcement actions are presently in process: South 3rd Street – Establishment of Use not allowed within zone district South 3rd Street – Development without required approvals North 5th Street – Fence constructed in violation of regulations Adams Street – Development without required approvals Harrison Street – Development without required approvals Person Street – Non-Compliance with PUD approvals Person Street – Non-Compliance with PUD Landscaping approvals ( 4 pending) Airport Area – Junk violations South 15th Street – Over occupancy Skyline Road – Development without required approvals Comanche – Over occupancy Colina Drive – Home Occupation (Second notice mailed) ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 The following Enforcement actions are presently pending Attorney action: North 4th Street – Development without required approvals (Information and Summons) Garfield Street – Occupation of a Recreational Vehicle for a period exceeding 14-days West Skyline Road – Non-Permitted Use (Court Date Set) The following Enforcement actions have been recently closed: East Grand Avenue – Modification to a sign without required approvals Person Street – Non-Compliance with PUD Landscaping approvals (4 completed) Grand Avenue – Over occupancy Housing Study Update: Staff continues to form a Housing Advisory Committee. In upcoming meetings staff will coordinate stakeholder interviews. Interviews and the first committee meeting are expected to occur after the holidays in January. Staff expects the study to be complete within 10 months of contract approval. Unified Development Code (UDC) Review/Revisions: Use Table: Staff continues to work with LEDC’s UDC Committee regarding proposed amendment to the Use table. Staff will be bringing forward proposed amendments shortly. Round 3 Revisions: Staff continues work on targeted sections of Code. Items anticipated for review include parking requirements, Design Review procedures and when conformance with development standards are required. Staff continues to solicit public comment via the City webpage, social media platforms and from area organizations. Long Range Projects: Trihydro continues work on the I-80 Aquifer protection Monitoring Well Design and Hazardous Spill Detention Pond Design (Albany County lead); The Turner Tract Area Plan 2013 was approved on November 5, 2013. Staff continues to review the Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the 5 year update. Engineering: November Activities: Construction Inspections Staff continues inspections of local development projects and City projects that are under construction. Most projects have shut down for the winter. Public infrastructure for “The Pointe” is underway. The 24” waterline has been relocated and tied on. Bridge construction is anticipated to extend into December. City Engineering Tasks Engineering sent out the “Draft Drainage Manual” for Review by interested consultants. Comments are in the process of being reviewed. Staff is updating City Storm Water Infrastructure Map. Capital Improvement Projects. SPT 29 Fetterman/Russell 5th to 7th – City Engineering – Hamaker/Big Huhnks ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 6 In the process of being closed out. SPT 41 Garfield/Custer 13th to 14th – AMEC – Domino Construction Done. SPT 42 11th Street, Kearney to Park – Wester-Wetstein - MSI In the process of being closed out. Cirrus Sky Data park – City Engineering Out to bid. SPT 26 Cedar Street – Coffey Engineering – Simon Contractors Storm sewer being installed. SPT 36 B Line (Bradley – Garfield) – AMEC – Simon Contractors Completed except for landscaping. SPT 46 B Line (Garfield – UPRR) – AMEC Project has been combined with South Laramie Sanitary Sewer. South Laramie Sanitary Sewer (UPRR – 15th and Skyline) – AMEC Under design. WWBA07 – West Laramie (Banner Road) Outfall Sewer – Trihydro Under design. Submittal to DEQ planned for December. – Cleveland Street Drainage - SEH Under design. Submittal to DEQ planned for December. Cottonwood Estates Drainage 2013 – City Engineering – Six Points Solutions Construction started. Traffic Commission Traffic Commission met in November. Following review and approval of minutes by the Traffic Commission on Dec. 12, Council will receive those minutes in early January.