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MEMORANDUM Date: September 4, 2013 To: Janine Jordan, City Manager From: Randy Hunt, Community Development Director Subject: Report: Community Development Dept. – August 2013 Code Administration, Building Permits: Here are the permit summary statistics for July 2013: Month YTD 13 YTD 12 Month YTD 13 YTD 12 New Single Family 4 37 38 417,868.00 6,854,990.00 4,626,144.00 New Multiple Family 1 1 961,069.00 455,000.00 No. Units - YTD 13 (12) No. Units - YTD 12 (15) New Manufactured Homes Residential Remodel 43 134 149 293,355.00 1,318,876.00 1,572,798.00 New Commercial or Industrial 1 358,686.00 New Public Facilities Commercial, Industrial or Public Remodel 8 41 35 725,886.00 23,670,303.00 9,039,967.00 Demolition 1 13 8 10,300.00 1,768,600.00 69,490.00 Signs 10 11 203,423.00 54,459.00 Electrical 19 144 164 245,075.00 3,146,283.00 2,470,529.00 Plumbing 41 229 189 289,515.00 5,346,536.00 3,102,753.00 Mechanical 25 105 110 374,032.00 4,973,478.00 1,522,701.00 Misc. TOTALS 141 714 706 2,356,031.00 48,243,558.00 23,272,527.00 Permits Valuations1 There appears to be nothing striking of different in the permit statistics for July. We might recap a few ongoing patterns and trends that were noted in previous reports: Although number of permits for new single-family units remain similar to YTD 2012, valuation of the new houses is substantially higher; Single-family remodels have declined somewhat (probably in part a reflection of current homeowners buying into the new single-family market); 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--- September 4, 2013 Page 2 Commercial remodels are dramatically higher in valuation compared to last year, with UW facilities projects as the dominant element and the IMH expansion also contributing a sizeable increase. At this point I would add that with the July figures, we are more than halfway through the building season; thus, many line items in the YTD 13 column will probably continue course for the rest of this calendar year. Code Enforcement: Here are the Code Enforcement figures for August 2013: New Issues for August 2013 Type of Violation Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Total Number Not Resolved Offensive Growth 291 207 84 291 198 507 198 Junk 35 20 19 39 27 152 27 Junked Vehicles 22 17 2 19 15 35 15 Abandoned vehicles 1 0 0 0 0 11 0 Other 3 0 7 7 1 59 1 Snow removal 0 0 0 0 0 243 0 Nuisance Totals 352 244 112 [PHONE REDACTED] 241 Volunteer Hours 73 0 0 0 0 73 0 Removed 171 signs from right-of-way on weekend of 17-18 August 2013 2013 2013 Coordinated and supervised 5 forced nuisance abatements End of Year to Date End of August July True to form for previous years, August was a busy month. We would call to your attention that our five forced abatements represents an uncommonly high number for a single month. There doesn’t seem to be a single identifiable cause for this concentration. We will monitor the forced-abatement element closely and share additional information as available. The removed-signs total is also quite high, especially for a single weekend’s work. The great majority of these signs were cardboard notices attached to utility poles in the right-of-way, advertising yard sales, house-painting or similar services, or opportunities to earn money fast. Code Enforcement Inspector Brian Forster was able and willing to schedule this particular sign roundup during early- morning hours over the weekend in question – meaning that traffic and parking concerns were at a minimum. (Removing signs at a single location can take four to six times longer during business ---PAGE BREAK--- September 4, 2013 Page 3 hours, compared to after-hours, due to safety considerations.) I would add that Inspector Forster is properly compensated for off-hours work per City flex-time employment policies. Planning: Beginning with this month’s report, we are providing additional information on planning and zoning enforcement activities by the division. Zoning enforcement is a separate process from Code enforcement; the latter is mostly regulated in the Nuisance code requirements in LMC Title 8. Zoning enforcement is perhaps the least visible activity in the Planning division, but it is nonetheless a critical aspect of good planning practice. Even enforcement on a complaint-only basis, as is our (necessary) practice, results in substantial staff time and resources, as the statistics below indicate. Enforcement is rarely as simple as a single notice to a property owner, and City resources in other departments or cost centers may be involved – you will note that we were obliged to involve the City Attorney’s office in several enforcement matters this month. We will continue to address zoning enforcement as necessity dictates and resources allow. August 2013 Planning Division highlights include: Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment met 2 time in August, holding hearings on the following matters: Conditional Use Permits o CUP-13-07, UW Golf Course Practice Facility (Approved) o CUP-13-08, 1532 Court Retirement Home (Approved) o CUP-13-09, 1878 Van Buren Street - Accessory Buildings (Approved) o CUP-13-10, 1523 Steele Street, Family Child Care Center (Approved) o CUP-13-11, 2002 19th Street, Type 2 Child Care Home (Approved) Annexation o A-13-01, Annexation: Silver Sage Estates (Approval recommended) Zoning o Z-13-04, Zoning: Silver Estates Addition (Approval recommended) Variance o VAR-13-02, Variance from Vulnerable features at the southwest Corner of Glacier and Beech Streets (Approved) 5 new development applications were submitted to the Planning Division during the month of August, consisting of: o FP-13-05: Silver Sage Estates Final Plat proposing 11 single-family lots east of 19th and Barratt Street (Associated with A-13-01 and Z-13-04) o VAC-13-01: Request to Vacate the 2400 Block of Monroe Street (unbuilt block between Snowy Range Road and Cleveland St.) o CPA-13-04: Land Use Plan amendment requesting change from Auto-Urban Residential to Auto Urban Commercial for the area between Cleveland Street and Snowy Range Road and north of Monroe Street o Z-13-05: Rezoning requesting a change from R1 (Single-Family Residential) District to B2 (General Business District) for land between Cleveland St and Snowy Range ---PAGE BREAK--- September 4, 2013 Page 4 Road north and south of Monroe Street (Vacant land north of Gateway Fuels, the new Shell Station at the o VAR-13-03: Variance requesting reduction in required parking and landscaping for a business at 605 Grand Avenue (Ace Hardware) to allow for an addition Design Review and Building Permits o 4 Design Review Permits o 6 Building Permits The Ad-Hoc Committee established to oversee the update to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan did not meet in August. 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. Staff continues to work with AVI Engineering on preparation of the LaBonte Park plat. Zoning Enforcement: o This year to date, staff has investigated 28 enforcement actions. o The following Enforcement actions are presently Active. 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 Pending Attorney Action Garfield Street – Occupation of a Recreational Vehicle for a period exceeding 14-days East Grand Avenue – Modification to a sign without required approvals West Skyline Road – Non-Permitted Use Recently Closed Alta Vista Neighborhood – Home Occupation in violation of regulations. South 3rd Street –Modification to a sign without required approvals Cottonwood Estates– Occupation of a Recreational Vehicle for a period exceeding 14-days Reynolds Street – Parking of vehicles in front yard Person Street – Non-Compliance with PUD Landscaping approvals (1 completed) Three finalist candidates were interviewed on Aug. 15 for the vacant Assistant Planner position. Mr. Audem Gonzales has accepted an offer to be employed as Assistant Planner. His start date is Monday, September 16, 2013. Staff has finalized the RFP for preparation of a Housing Study for the City. Consultant selection is expected in early October. The process involves establishment of a committee and presentation to the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff expects the study to be complete within 9 months. Action on TA-13-01 (Mobile/Manufactured Housing amendments) was postponed by the City Council to November 19, 2013 for staff to propose amendments based on public feedback and other information. ---PAGE BREAK--- September 4, 2013 Page 5 Work on other UDC Updates continues: o Staff 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 Planning Commission Review in October and Council consideration beginning in November. o LEDC’s Industrial Properties Committee / UDC Review Subcommittee is still interested and prepared to provide guidance on practical difficulties in administering the UDC. The Subcommittee has not met in recent months, but staff expects a renewed meeting schedule to begin soon. Accordingly, the Council’s next UDC work session, postponed in July, should be re-scheduled before the end of calendar year 2013. 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 will be held on September 23, 2013 with Planning Commission and September 24, 2013 with City Council. There will also be public meetings on September 23, 2013 for the public to attend regarding the proposed draft. o Staff continues to review the Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the 5 year update. Engineering: August 2013 activities: Development Review Thirteen projects were received by Engineering Staff for review this month. Coordination with other City Departments Engineering has been working with Department of Public Works Staff on writing policies for project management and EADOC. 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; project involves Utility Division Personnel, as well as IT/GIS Personnel. An interview of a potential candidate for a part time draftsman was conducted. Staff is updating City Storm Water Infrastructure Map. Capital Improvement Projects. SPT 26 - Cedar Street – Coffey Engineering – Simon Contractors ---PAGE BREAK--- September 4, 2013 Page 6 Construction has reached substantial completion; change orders to the construction contract are being negotiated. A proposed drainage solution is being reviewed for pricing. SPT 29 - Fetterman/Russell 5th to 7th – City Engineering – Hamaker/Big Huhnks Installation of pipe is complete, surface work is in progress. SPT 36 - B Line (Bradley – Garfield) – AMEC – Simon Contractors Construction is in progress. SPT 41 - Garfield/Custer 13th to 14th – AMEC – Domino Construction Construction has reached final completion. Waiting on warranty security. SPT 42 - 11th Street, Kearney to Park – Wester-Wetstein – MSI Construction Construction is in progress. SPT 43 - Canby/Harney 9th to 13th – Farnsworth No bids were received, the project will be rebid for spring construction. SPT 46 - B Line (Garfield – UPRR) - AMEC Project is currently under design. - Cirrus Sky Datapark – City Engineering Design team is working on Final Plat Submittal. - South Laramie Sanitary Sewer Staff continues to work toward confirmation of funding and schedule. GFSRIV - Ivinson St (9th to 15th) – City Engineering The street has been surveyed. Project delayed primarily to allow Grand Avenue Improvements to proceed without undo traffic congestion. WWBA07 – West Laramie (Banner Road) Outfall Sewer – Trihydro Project is being resurrected. Staff is working to update contracts. – Cleveland Street Drainage - SEH Project is under design. Cottonwood Estates Drainage 2013 – City Engineering – Six Point Solutions Project continues on hold, until initial paper work, bonds are submitted, and coordination with Source Gas for relocations occurs. Source gas has indicated they are about 6 weeks out. 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 did not meet in August.