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MEMORANDUM Date: October 7, 2013 To: Janine Jordan, City Manager From: Randy Hunt, Community Development Director Subject: Report: Community Development Dept. – September 2013 Code Administration, Building Permits: Beginning this month, we are reporting additional data in the Code Administration / Building Permits section. Interest has been expressed in fee collections by the Code Administration Division, as well as total permits and valuations. The expanded table appears on the following page. As I have outlined in previous reports, our building-permit related fees are collected in several categories, including building-permit fees themselves, water-meter sales, plant investment fees collected, and plan review fees collected. In future reports, including the fees information will allow for a better understanding of the relationship among the City’s permitting process, the cost to owners or developers, and the revenues generated to the City. The permit summary statistics for August 2013 appear on the following page. Overall patterns and trends are not especially different from those noted in reports earlier this year. One interesting item, however, might be pointed out: namely, the increased permit numbers and values in the Sign Permit category in YTD 2013, compared to last year. The Council may recall that July 2012 was the adoption of the City’s new Sign Code, which was a significant departure from the preceding signage regulations (mostly unchanged since 1964). Concerns were expressed before the new Sign Code’s adoption that businesses would find the new code overly burdensome. At the one year mark, the sign-permit statistics do not see to bear out the worst-case fears. Although we cannot say what level of new signage activity would be taking place if the old code were still in effect (in scientific terms, we have no “control group”), it seems apparent that businesses are replacing signs at a somewhat greater rate under the new code this year than they did during the same eight months last year. Actual sign permits issued are up, although not by much (14 vs. 12), while the valuations show a much greater climb (approx. $221K vs. approx. $57K). The difference in permits and valuations tells us that businesses are investing more per each sign this year. As always, we don’t want to make too much of a single trend; however, this one is worth watching. 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 2 39 49 283,564.00 7,138,554.00 5,992,563.00 2,457.90 55,527.65 54,488.35 New Multiple Family 1 2 961,069.00 796,000.00 5428.25 4,255.75 No. Units - YTD 13 (12) No. Units - YTD 12 (19) New Manufactured Homes Residential Remodel 37 171 185 404,687.00 1,723,563.00 1,950,508.00 7,397.00 30,826.35 32,530.20 New Commercial or Industrial 2 448,686.00 2,374.15 New Public Facilities Commercial, Industrial or Public Remodel 10 51 40 2,170,948.00 25,841,251.00 10,379,116.00 12,008.50 122,956.13 60,469.19 Demolition 13 9 1,768,600.00 74,490.00 12,079.60 1,379.75 Signs 4 14 12 17,000.00 220,423.00 56,459.00 1,662.30 4,553.20 1,204.65 Electrical 18 162 193 71,251.00 3,217,534.00 2,630,389.00 2,330.90 31,012.55 29,083.55 Plumbing 37 266 233 173,140.00 5,519,676.00 3,442,147.00 1,235.65 30,499.45 28,467.00 Mechanical 19 124 133 3,562,783.00 8,536,261.00 1,621,213.00 11,847.90 14,746.05 Misc. TOTALS 127 841 858 6,683,373.00 54,926,931.00 27,391,571.00 27,092.25 304,731.08 $228,998.64 Plant Investment Fees 2 49 45 $11,664.00 $286,328.00 $229,392.00 Water Meters 2 54 45 $490.00 $19,340.53 $10,283.00 TOTALS 4 103 90 $12,154.00 $305,668.53 $239,675.00 Plan Review Fees 6 78 94 $3,963.93 $255,418.93 $88,745.23 Permits Fees2 Valuations1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Code Enforcement: Here are the Code Enforcement figures for September 2013: New Issues for Sept 2013 Type of Violation Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Offensive Growth 291 198 122 320 139 629 139 Junk 39 27 16 43 15 168 15 Junked Vehicles 19 15 1 16 9 36 9 Abandoned vehicles 0 0 4 0 0 15 0 Other 7 1 22 23 1 81 1 Snow removal 0 0 0 0 0 243 0 Nuisance Totals 356 241 165 [PHONE REDACTED] 164 Volunteer Hours 73 0 0 30 0 103 0 Removed over 320 signs from right-of-way in September 2013 2013 2013 Coordinated and supervised 1 forced nuisance abatement End of Year to Date End of September August You will note that substantial progress has been made in resolving outstanding violations in September, compared to August; well over half the total violations were cleared this past month, whereas less than half were cleared the preceding month. This pattern is fairly normal. The primary reason is that September is a transitional month; in most years, weeds slow down or quit growing, but the snow has not yet arrived. That interim allows the Code Enforcement Inspector to start aggressively clearing the books, so to speak – contacting property owners, working toward alternative solutions, and the like. In their turn, property owners can keep up with tasks a bit better themselves when the pace is slower. I would also note that Mr. Forster has continued to work on the specific goal of removing as many illegal right-of-way signs as possible. Nearly all of these are cardboard signs taped or stapled to utility poles. Like weeds, these are a perennial nuisance; like weeds, just about the only effective control method is to yank them out. The result is the same in both cases: a cleaner, less cluttered community. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 Planning: September 2013 highlights include: Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment met 1 time in September holding hearings on the following matters: Variance(s): o VAR-13-04, 30th Street Bridge Floodplain Development Permit (Approved) 5 new development applications were submitted to the Planning Division during the month of August, consisting of: o 2 Design Review Permits o 11 Building Permits The Ad-Hoc Committee established to oversee the update to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan met in September. 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. They officially named the document the Recreation Systems Master Plan (RSMP). Staff continues to work with AVI Engineering on preparation of the LaBonte Park Final Plat. Zoning Enforcement. o This year staff has investigated 32 enforcement actions. o The following Enforcement actions are presently underway: In Process: North 5th Street – Fence constructed in violation of regulations North 4th Street – Development without required approvals 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 ( 8 pending) Airport Area – Non-conforming use, junk violations South 15th Street – Over-occupancy Pending Attorney Action Garfield Street – Occupation of a Recreational Vehicle for a period exceeding 14-days West Skyline Road – Non-Permitted Use Recently Closed East Grand Avenue – Modification to a sign without required approvals Person Street – Non-Compliance with PUD Landscaping approvals (1 completed) Grand Avenue – Over occupancy The Housing Study RFP was published and advertised. Responses are due October 4. The process involves establishment of a committee and presentation to the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff expects the study to be complete within 7-9 months. Staff continues work on TA-13-01 (Mobile/Manufactured Housing amendments) which was postponed by the City Council to November 19, 2013. Work on other UDC Updates continues: ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 o Staff is continues the process to update the UDC Use Table and received input from the City Council. Staff continues to solicit comment for the City webpage, social media platforms and from area organizations. The item is proposed for discussion at a Planning Commission Work Session on October 28. o Tri-Hydro continues work on the I-80 Aquifer protection Monitoring Well Design and Hazardous Spill Detention Pond Design. o Staff continues to work on the Turner Tract Area Plan Update. A work session was held on September 23, 2013 with Planning Commission and September 24, 2013 with City Council. Public meetings were also hosted on September 23, 2013 for the public to comment on the proposed draft. o Staff continues to review the Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the 5 year update. Engineering: September Activities Development Review Twelve projects were received by Engineering Staff for review this month. The previous backlog was cleared; only six projects remain in review. Coordination with other City Departments Engineering has been working with other Departments to update the Professional Services Agreement template. Staff is updating the Standard Unit Price cost estimating spread sheet. Construction Inspections Staff continues inspections of local development projects and City projects that are under construction. City Engineering Tasks Staff is working on updating (with intent to have a peer review) the City’s storm water manual. Staff is assisting in updating City Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Map. A part-time, no- benefitted draftsman has been hired. Staff is updating City Storm Water Infrastructure Map. Capital Improvement Projects. SPT 29 Fetterman/Russell 5th to 7th – City Engineering – Hamaker/Big Huhnks o Construction complete, A walk-through is being scheduled, and starting final payment process. SPT 41 Garfield/Custer 13th to 14th – AMEC – Domino Construction o Waiting on warranty bonds to send out warranty letter. SPT 42 11th Street, Kearney to Park – Wester-Wetstein - MSI o Water main work completed, but not yet tested. Cirrus Sky Data park – City Engineering ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 6 o Putting finishing touches on the design. Deadline is Oct 14. SPT 26 Cedar Street – Coffey Engineering – Simon Contractors o Staff has received an estimate from Simons on the drainage. Invoices continue to be reviewed. Need as-builts prior to scheduling initial walk thru. SPT 36 B Line (Bradley – Garfield) – AMEC – Simon Contractors o Project is progressing, but behind schedule. Potentially 2 to 3 weeks left. SPT 46 B Line (Garfield – UPRR) - AMEC o This project has been merged with the South Laramie Sewer and going out for RFP Ivinson St (9th to 15th) – City Engineering o The street has been surveyed. WWBA07 – West Laramie (Banner Road) Outfall Sewer – Trihydro o Design and CM/CA (Inspection) contract was approved by Council – Cleveland Street Drainage - SEH o Utility potholing complete. Ninety percent plans anticipated on Oct 25th. Cottonwood Estates Drainage 2013 – City Engineering – Six Points Solutions o Project continues on hold, until initial paper work, schedule and bonds are submitted, Final coordination with Source Gas for relocations will depend on Six Point’s schedule. In addition to “Project Management” responsibilities for the projects listed above, Engineering Staff provides assistance to other City Project Managers in an advisory role and backup. The projects in which Staff serves as “City Project Engineer”, include: SPT 24, SPT 25, SPT 31, SPT 32, SPT 34, SPT 47, 36” Raw Water Pipeline, South Laramie Water line, and Landfill. Traffic Commission Traffic Commission met in September. One of the items on the agenda was welcoming the newest member, Harold Colby, to the Commission. Traffic Commission is now full, with no vacancies.